Angry Worshippers Beat Suspect to Death After Attack on Sokoto Cleric

Tension gripped Sokoto metropolis on Friday after an Islamic cleric, Malam Musa Lukwa, was stabbed shortly after leading Juma’at prayers at his mosque in the Mabera area of the city.

The cleric was allegedly stabbed twice in the neck by a young man who was among the worshippers.

Sources said the suspect was seated in one of the front rows before attacking the cleric immediately after the prayer.

The sources added that worshippers overpowered the suspect and beat him to death.

The incident was reportedly linked to a previous sermon delivered by the cleric, during which he cited a Hadith that some Islamic scholars, particularly those associated with the Tariqa order, considered offensive to the parents of Prophet Muhammad.

Following the controversy, the young man, identified as Mai Barewa, allegedly threatened to kill Malam Musa Lukwa and his senior student, Malam Murtala Assada.

The cleric and his followers subsequently reported the threat to the police, leading to the arrest and arraignment of the suspect.

The court later ordered that he be remanded in a correctional facility pending trial.

Four days before Friday’s attack, the clerics had also visited the Sokoto State Government House, where they submitted a written complaint concerning the matter.

Confirming the attack, the spokesman for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, said Malam Lukwa was receiving treatment at the Specialist Hospital, Sokoto.

He said the suspected attacker was killed by the cleric’s followers.

Rufa’i said no arrest had been made in connection with the mob violence, adding that the police had deployed personnel to prevent the situation from escalating.

He said the command was investigating the incident to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack and to identify anyone who may have been involved.