Tension gripped parts of Sokoto metropolis on Friday, after an Islamic cleric, Musa Lukwa, was stabbed shortly after leading the Juma’at prayer at his mosque in the Mabera area.
Lukwa was reportedly attacked twice in the neck by a young man believed to be one of the worshippers at the mosque.
The incident triggered chaos as other worshippers reportedly overpowered the suspect and killed him during the ensuing violence.
The attack was allegedly connected to a previous sermon delivered by Lukwa, which some Islamic scholars and their followers considered offensive to the parents of Prophet Muhammad.
The controversial sermon had previously generated tension in the community, with a man identified as Mai Barewa allegedly issuing threats against Lukwa and one of his senior students.
Mai Barewa was subsequently arrested and arraigned, while the matter remains before the court.
Amid the escalating threats, Lukwa and his followers reportedly wrote to the Sokoto State government four days before Friday’s attack, raising concerns over the alleged threats against them.
Confirming the stabbing, Sokoto State Police spokesman, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, said the cleric is receiving treatment at Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, and is responding to treatment.
Rufa’i also confirmed that the alleged attacker was killed by the cleric’s followers, adding that no arrest had been made in connection with the subsequent violence.
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According to the police, security measures have been deployed to prevent further escalation, while investigation into the incident continues.
The situation reportedly deteriorated later in the day after news spread that Lukwa had survived the attack. Some youths took to the streets in protest, with tension reported around Sahara, Bello Way and Aliyu Jodi.
The unrest forced some businesses to shut their doors, while residents reportedly fled parts of the commercial areas as security operatives moved into strategic locations.
Police authorities appealed for calm, urging residents to avoid retaliation and allow security agencies to investigate the incident and bring those responsible for any wrongdoing to justice.
