Sokoto Govt Declares Musa Lukuwa Mosque Crime Scene, Probes Attack On Cleric

Sokoto State government has ordered the immediate closure of the Musa Lukuwa Jumu’at Mosque in the Mabera area of Sokoto metropolis.

This followed the stabbing of an Islamic cleric, Musa Lukawa, after last Friday prayers and the subsequent killing of his alleged attacker by worshippers. The government set up a committee of Islamic scholars to investigate the immediate and underlying causes of recent religious tension in the state.

The government said the mosque had been sealed as a crime scene pending the conclusion of a full investigation into the attack and killing.

The director-general, Media and Publicity, Government House, Abubakar Bawa, disclosed this in a statement he issued on Tuesday.

“The government has ordered a full investigation into the attack and killing at Musa Lukuwa Juma’’at Mosque, Mabera and ordered the closure of the mosque till further notice,” he said.

The government dissociated itself from “any person of any status that hides under the pretext of religion to undermine or disrespect the Holy Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his parents, households and companions”.

It reaffirmed its “total obedience and respect to the personality of Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his parents, households and companions”, while urging the residents to continue to demonstrate love and compassion for the Prophet.

The government said the measures became necessary following religious tensions that had engulfed parts of the metropolis in recent days.

To address the situation, the Governor’s Office has constituted a committee of Ulamas to investigate the crisis and make recommendations to the government.

According to the statement, the committee is mandated to “examine the remote and immediate causes of such crisis, and to advise the Government on appropriate measures to be taken in the interest of the state”.

The committee’s terms of reference were not disclosed, but government sources said the panel was expected to submit its findings as soon as possible.

The government also appealed to residents to refrain from making statements that could threaten peaceful coexistence in the state.

“People of the state are urged to desist from incitive statements that could jeopardise the peaceful coexistence that Sokoto is known for,” Bawa said.

He assured residents that the administration remained committed to protecting the lives and property of all citizens, irrespective of their religious or ethnic backgrounds.

Security operatives have been deployed around the sealed mosque and other sensitive locations in the metropolis to prevent any further breakdown of law and order.

As of press time, no arrest had been announced in connection with the stabbing incident. The Sokoto State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmed Rufai, had also not commented on the incident.

Meanwhile, some residents welcomed the government’s decision to investigate the incident and to temporarily close the mosque.

Hauwa Ismail said the investigation was necessary to restore peace, adding, “Islam is peace and love.”

Another resident, Hamza Hamid, said he supported the government’s decision to dissociate itself from anyone who used religion as a pretext to disrespect the Prophet Muhammad, his parents, household and companions.