By Orowo Victoria Ojieh
Catholic Mass in Sokoto metropolis has been suspended until the curfew imposed by the state government is lifted.
The 24-hour curfew was imposed by the state government after protests rocked parts of Sokoto city over the detention of two persons linked to the awful killing of Deborah Samuel.
Hundreds of placard-carrying Muslim youths began a protest in Sokoto on Saturday demanding the release of the two suspects. The suspension of mass by Catholic Diocese of Sokoto Bishop Mathew Kukah was contained in a statement signed by the Director, Social Communications, Rev. Fr. Christopher Omotosho.
Omotosho stated that Kukah’s residence was not attacked though protesting hoodlums vandalised and torched two of the parishes.
The statement reads: “The Sokoto State Government has declared 24-hour curfew to help stem the ongoing protests embarked upon by Muslim youths in the state capital today.
“During the protest, groups of youths led by some adults in the background attacked the Holy Family Catholic Cathedral at Bello Way, destroying church glass windows, those of the Bishop Lawton Secretariat were also attacked and a community bus parked within the premises vandalised.
“St. Kevin’s Catholic Church Gidan Dere, Eastern By-pass, was also attacked and partly burnt; windows of the new hospital complex under construction, in the same premises were shattered.
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“They were promptly dispersed by a team of Mobile policemen before they could do further damage.
“The hoodlums also attacked the Bakhita Centre located along Aliyu Jodi Road and burnt down a bus within the premises.” Bishop Kukah has called for calm and applauded Governor Aminu Tambuwal for acting promptly by declaring the curfew.
He also commended the security forces for quickly rising to the occasion to prevent further damages to the church’s facilities, adding that no life was lost.
“All Masses in the Sokoto metropolis have been suspended until the curfew is lifted,” the statement added. The Bishop appealed to Christians to remain law-abiding and pray for the return of normalcy in Sokoto.
