Police Confirm Cleric Survived Sokoto Mosque Knife Attack, Assailant Lynched

The Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed an attempted homicide at Lukuwa Mosque, where an Islamic cleric, Malam Musa Lukawa, was attacked shortly after Friday prayers.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, the command said it received a distress call at about 1:50pm reporting a violent attack at the mosque.

According to the police, preliminary investigation showed that an unidentified man entered the mosque after the Jumu’at prayers and attacked Lukawa with a knife.

The cleric reportedly sustained deep cuts to his neck and left hand during the attack.

The police said the suspect was subsequently overpowered by worshippers and an angry mob, who lynched him before security operatives could intervene.

The suspect was taken to the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), where a doctor confirmed his death, after which his body was deposited at the hospital’s mortuary.

The command, however, said Lukawa was rushed to a specialist hospital for treatment and had since been discharged.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Hayatu Hassan Shaffa, condemned the mob action and urged residents to remain calm and avoid any reprisal or further unrest.

The police appealed to residents to cooperate with security agencies as investigations continue, stressing that the law must be allowed to take its course.

“While we understand the community’s outrage regarding this heinous attack, the authorities strongly condemn the act of jungle justice,” the statement said.

The command added that security personnel had been deployed to the area to maintain law and order, while urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest security post.