Sokoto Shuts Mosque After Cleric Is Stabbed, Orders Probe Into Attacker’s Death

The Sokoto State Government has ordered the immediate closure of Musa Lukuwa Jumu’at Mosque in Mabera, Sokoto metropolis, following the stabbing of Islamic cleric Musa Lukuwa after Friday prayers and the subsequent death of his alleged attacker.

The government also ordered a full investigation into the incident, declaring the mosque a crime scene until further notice as security agencies work to establish what led to the confrontation.

The directives were announced in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Abubakar Bawa.

The incident occurred shortly after Lukuwa led Friday Juma’at prayers at the mosque. The Sokoto State Police Command said the alleged attacker entered the mosque after prayers and used a knife to attack the cleric.

According to police spokesman Ahmad Rufa’i, the command received a distress call at about 1:50pm. He said worshippers overpowered the alleged attacker and beat him to death before security personnel could fully intervene.

Lukuwa was taken to hospital for treatment and later appealed for calm, saying he was in stable condition. He also urged his followers not to retaliate or take actions that could further escalate tensions in the area.

Amid concerns over rising religious tensions in parts of Sokoto metropolis, the state government said the mosque would remain closed to allow security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into both the attack and the subsequent killing.

The government has also constituted a committee of Islamic scholars, known as ulamas, to examine the immediate and underlying causes of the religious tensions and recommend measures to prevent further escalation.

It further appealed to residents to avoid provocative or inciting statements and assured the public that it remained committed to protecting lives and property. The government also distanced itself from anyone using religion as a justification for actions it considers disrespectful to Prophet Muhammad, his family and companions.

Authorities are now expected to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack, the death of the alleged assailant and the wider tensions surrounding the incident as investigations continue.