Sokoto govt shuts mosque after attack on cleric, sets up probe panel

Sokoto State Government has constituted a committee to investigate the causes of the recent attack at Sheikh Musa Lukuwa Jumu’at Mosque in the Mabera area of the state.

DAILY POST reports that the committee, made up of Islamic scholars, was constituted to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the religious tensions surrounding the incident and advise the government on appropriate measures to address the situation.

The Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Abubakar Bawa, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday in Sokoto.

He said the state government had also ordered the immediate closure of the mosque, which is being treated as a crime scene, until further notice.

Bawa said the government dissociated itself from anyone who uses religion as a pretext to undermine or disrespect Prophet Muhammad, his parents, household and companions.

He urged residents to show love and compassion to the Prophet and desist from making inciting statements capable of threatening peaceful coexistence in the state.

The government also assured residents of its commitment to protecting lives and property.

The development followed an attack on September 11, when Lukuwa was stabbed shortly after leading the Juma’at prayer at the mosque.

The suspected attacker, who was reportedly among the worshippers, allegedly stabbed the cleric twice in the neck before other worshippers overpowered and killed him.