Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal has ordered the closure of Shehu Shagari College of Education following a mob attack on a student for alleged blasphemy.
Briefing reporters at the Government House on Thursday, commissioner of information Isa Galadanchi said Tambuwal also directed the Ministry of Higher Education and the police to investigate the incident.
“The governor has called on the people of the state to remain calm and maintain peace as the government would take appropriate actions on the findings of the investigation,” Galadanchi said.
The school authorities issued a circular, saying the college has been shut indefinitely.
“Following today’s early morning students rampage in the College, the College Management has resolved to close down the College indefinitely with immediate effect.
“Consequently, all students are hereby directed to vacate the College campus immediate,” the circular read.
Identified simply as Deborah, the victim is reported to have described a message about Prophet Muhammad on a WhatsApp group as “nonsense”.
The group, it was learnt, was created for academic purposes.
A source told Daily Trust that the matter got out of hand after Deborah refused to apologise for her alleged comment on the post.
“She was asked to apologise but refused and this heightened tension in the school. The college security personnel had to intervened by whisking her to their office but they were overwhelmed by students, who later set her ablaze,” the source said.
