Sokoto Cleric Survives Stabbing, Discharged From Hospital As Police Warn Against Reprisal

The Sokoto State Police Command has called for calm and warned residents against reprisal attacks after prominent Islamic cleric, Malam Musa Lukuwa, survived a stabbing attack shortly after Juma’at prayers on Friday and was subsequently discharged from hospital.

The incident occurred at about 1:50pm at Lukuwa Mosque in the Mabera area of Sokoto metropolis, shortly after the cleric led the congregational prayer.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said an unidentified young man identified as “Mai Barewa” entered the mosque and attacked the cleric with a sharp knife, inflicting deep cuts on his neck and left hand.

“The assailant inflicted deep cuts on the victim’s neck and left hand. He was immediately overpowered by an angry mob and lynched before security operatives arrived at the scene,” Rufai stated on Friday.

The police spokesperson said the attacker was rushed to the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), where he was confirmed dead and his remains deposited at the hospital’s mortuary.

Rufai added that Lukuwa was treated at UDUTH and the Sokoto Specialist Hospital before he was discharged. “He is responding to treatment,” he said.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, condemned the mob action as jungle justice and urged residents to allow due process to take its course.

“It is imperative that we allow the law to take its course to ensure justice is served appropriately,” Shaffa said.

The Command said security personnel had been deployed to Mabera and other flashpoints to maintain law and order while investigations into both the stabbing and the mob killing continue. No arrest has been made in connection with the lynching.

Police sources linked the attack to a controversial sermon delivered by Lukuwa days earlier. The cleric had cited a Hadith that drew condemnation from some scholars, particularly members of the Sufi Tariqa order, who described it as offensive to the parents of Prophet Muhammad.

According to reports, the suspect had made death threats against the cleric and his senior student. The cleric’s team said it had reported the threats to the police and submitted a written complaint to the state government four days before the attack.

The incident sparked tension and protests in parts of the metropolis, including Sahara, Bello Way and Aliyu Jodi. Some shops were shut on Friday as residents feared further escalation.

DSP Rufai urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies rather than resorting to self-help.

“The situation is under control. We enjoin the public to remain calm,” he said.

The Command said investigation into the incident is ongoing.