Deborah Samuel Biography: Deborah Samuel or Deborah Samuel Yakubu was a Nigerian who was a student of Shagari College of Education Sokoto, Sokoto who was stoned to death and set to fire by her fellow college students for allegedly making a blasphemous statement on a WhatsApp group against the Prophet Mohammed.
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Deborah Samuel‘s Cause of Death
Deborah Samuel was reportedly stoned to death and set to fire by a mob of fellow students n Sokoto, Nigeria on Thursday, May 12th, 2022. She was accused of making a blasphemous statement on a WhatsApp group against Prophet Mohammed.
As per the sources, many of the college students were present when the incident occurred. Some of the students dragged her out of the hostel room and then began to tease her, picking up stones, beating her with planks, and dumping tires on her, causing her to die after which her body was set to fire beyond recognition.
The police and the school security, despite their attempt to rescue Deborah by firing teargas and warning shots, were not able to control the mob and failed to save her.
The entire incident was recorded by the onlookers and was later uploaded on social media attracting a lot of attention and an angry response from the people.
Deborah Samuel‘s Burial And Family’s Reaction
Her remains were brought back from Sokoto State by her father to be buried in her hometown, Tungan Magajiya in the Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State at the Christian cemetery, for which he had to make a lot of efforts to take the necessary permission for the same from the Sokoto State Government.
Deborah’s parents described their daughter’s death as painful and sad, leaving her killers to God. They regretted the fact that they had sent her to such an expensive school to study because of which some of her siblings’ education suffered.
Deborah Samuel‘s Government’s Reaction
Both Muslims and Christians across Nigeria have widely condemned the killing of Deborah.
Governor Aminu Tambuwal ordered the indefinite closure of the college immediately after the incident until the investigation is carried out.
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, also highly condemned the lynching incident and asked the people not to take the law into their hands in such a matter. He also extended his condolences to the deceased’s family.
The “Sultan of Sokoto”, the most senior Islamic religious leader of Nigeria, has described the violence as “unjustified” and has asked the authorities to bring justice to the offenders and a call for calmness across the country.
After two days of her killing, her protesters demanded the release of some of her suspects. People had begun to share fake photos, videos, and posts on social media to cause violence and further damage the country.
On Saturday, 14th May 2022, the Sokoto state government for northwest Nigeria, declared 24 hours curfew across the state, after the youths violently protest the arrest of two of Deborah’s alleged killers.
CAN President, Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, has requested all church leaders to organize a peaceful protest on 22 May 2022 to demand justice for Deborah and for no more killing in God’s name.
Deborah Samuel’s Early Life and Family Background
Deborah Samuel was born in a Christian family to Mr. Emmanuel Garba, security personnel with the Niger State Water Works Cooperation at Tungan-Magajiya and Alheri Emmanuel. She had six siblings and was her parents’ second child.
She was born in Tungan Magajiya in the Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State.
Since she was in primary school, Deborah lived with her father’s brother and that’s why she used the name Deborah ‘Samuel’ instead of ‘Garba.
Deborah Samuel‘s Educational Qualification
Deborah Samuel was a second-year student of Shagari College of Education Sokoto, Sokoto which is located in northwest Nigeria. Not much is known about her primary schooling.
Deborah Samuel‘s Personal Life
Deborah was a studious student in her college. Except that, not much is known about her personal life.