Atiku Chickens Out, Deletes Statements On Facebook, Twitter Condemning Deborah’s Killing Over Threats By Northern Islamic Extremists

Fearing threats by some Islamic extremists from the North over, over condemnation of Deborah’s Killing on his social media handles, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, late last night deleted his statements against the murder.

The deceased, a 200-level student of the Department of Home Economics, Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, was yesterday killed by an angry mob for allegedly blaspheming Prophet Muhammad.

Atiku had after the incidence which has continued to receive global condemnation, written: “There cannot be a justification for such gruesome murder. Deborah Yakubu was murdered, and all those behind her death must be brought to justice. My condolences to her family and friends.”

But storming his Facebook and Twitter pages, the extremists, mostly from the northern parts of the country, threatened not to vote for him in the forthcoming 2023 elections.

Warning him to jettison his condemnation of the cold-blooded murder, they also promised to mobilise against him.

While he did not engage them, he first deleted the post he made on Facebook and about an hour later, he also deleted that of Twitter.

The former vice president’s actions have since earned him the derision of most Nigerians, who accused him of always chickening out when the going gets tough, an action they termed ‘unpresidential’.

According to a source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, trouble started when there was heated argument on the departmental WhatsApp page between the deceased and her colleagues.

The arguments drew the attention of angry mob who stoned the lady and set her body ablaze.

Reacting to the incident, Sokoto State Commissioner of Information, Isa Bajini Galadanchi, said the situation was unfortunate.

He stated that Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who is away, has directed that investigation into the matter should commence immediately.

“We just woke up this morning to hear this unfortunate news,” he stated.

He maintained that the Governor has directed the ministry of higher education and other related agencies to commence immediate investigation.

He urged everybody to remain calm as government would do everything to unravel the circumstances behind the incident.

He also said the government has directed immediate closure of the institution to forestall breaking down of law and order, just as military personnel have already been deployed to the school and other schools in area.

Meanwhile, the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar has condemned the incident, saying nobody has right to take the laws into their hands.

He explained that the law enforcement agencies would be allowed to investigate the incident to bring the culprits to book, even as he condoled with the family of the deceased assuring that Justice must prevail.

However, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has described the gruesome murder of Yakubu as provocative and unfortunate.

In a statement, Catholic Diocese of Sokoto Bishop Hassan Kukah, said the killing of Yakubu has no place in Nigeria extant law, Bible or Quran.

He explained that Christians and Muslims have lived peacefully together in Sokoto without having issues with each other.

He called on the Christians in the state to remain calm and be law abiding as there are efforts to bring the perpetrators to book.