Sokoto Police Command debunks claims it categorized suspect arrested over murder of Deborah ‘as a foreigner from Niger Republic’

The Sokoto State Police Command has debunked a publication claiming that it categorized one of the suspects arrested for the murder of Shagari College of Education student, as a foreigner from Niger Republic who came in illegally to perpetrate the act.

Deborah Samuel, a level-two student was killed by a mob over remarks considered to be an insult to Prophet Mohammed.  

A statement signed by the Police Public Relation Officer, ASP Sanusi Abubakar, described the publication as mischievous and aimed at undermining the effort of the command. 

In the statement titled: Rejoinder on mischievous publication aimed at undermining the effort of Sokoto State Police Command, the State Commissioner of Police, Kamaldeen Kola Okunlola, appealed to members of the public not to instigate unverified stories. 

“The attention of Sokoto State Command was drawn to an online publication in NEWSLEAK by one Segun Adegbite on 14th may, 2022.  He alleged that, a top police source told peoples Gazette that, Sokoto Police Command has  categorized one of the suspects during the incident  at Shagari College of Education as a foreign intruder from Niger Republic came in illegally to perpetrate the act,” the statement read. 

“The Command is therefore using this medium to reaffirm that , the above fabricated publication which claimed its sources from the Command is falsehood and cannot be substantiated.

“The command did not issue out any statement or signed press release in that regard. The above publication is an act by some mischievous makers trying to create chaos into the mind of law abiding citizens and to distarbize the existing peaceful atmosphere restored as a result of thursday incident.

“The command is using this medium to appeal to all media outlets and members of the public to be advocate of peace and should not instigate unverified  stories.  

“Consequent upon the foregoing, investigation into the incident is ongoing and  the Nigeria police Force will be decisive in its action and in accordance with the extant laws and provisions of the constitution on that incident. 

“The Commissioner of Police Sokoto State Command CP Kamaldeen Kola Okunlola fdc,mnim enjoin the people    of Sokoto state to embrace compliance with the curfew emplaced by the state government to maintain peace and order in the state.”