Sokoto Shuts Mosque After Cleric’s Stabbing, Orders Probe

The Sokoto State Government has ordered the immediate closure of Lukuwa Jumu’at Mosque in Mabera, Sokoto metropolis, following the stabbing of Islamic cleric Musa Lukwa shortly after Friday prayers.

The government also declared the mosque a crime scene and directed security agencies to conduct a full investigation into the attack and the subsequent killing of the alleged assailant by worshippers.

According to the police, the attacker entered the mosque after the Juma’at prayer and used a knife to stab Lukwa. A distress call was reportedly received at about 1:50pm, after which the cleric was taken to hospital for treatment.

The alleged attacker was overpowered by worshippers who reportedly beat him to death. The incident has since raised concerns about religious tension and the possibility of further unrest in parts of Sokoto metropolis.

Lukwa later appealed for calm and urged his followers not to retaliate or take actions that could worsen the situation. He also assured them that he was in stable condition.

The state government said the mosque would remain closed until further notice to allow investigators to examine the circumstances surrounding both the stabbing and the death of the alleged attacker.

It also constituted a committee of Islamic scholars, known as ulamas, to examine both the immediate and underlying causes of the tensions and advise the government on measures that could prevent a recurrence.

The government further appealed to residents to avoid provocative or inflammatory statements capable of increasing tension in the state. It said protecting lives and property remained a priority as investigations continue.

The development has placed renewed attention on the need for religious leaders, worshippers and community members to resolve disagreements peacefully rather than allowing disputes to escalate into violence.

For now, authorities are expected to determine what led to the attack, whether there were other factors behind the incident and how the situation can be prevented from developing into a wider religious crisis.

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