Protest in Sokoto over court order remanding Islamic cleric

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Tension briefly gripped parts of Sokoto metropolis on Monday as youths protesting the continued remand of an Islamic cleric, Dahiru Mai Barewa, clashed with security personnel.

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The protesters, who demanded Mai Barewa’s release, reportedly blocked some roads and staged demonstrations in parts of the city before security operatives intervened to restore order.

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The protest followed a court order directing the re-arrest and remand of Mai Barewa, who is facing allegations of issuing death threats against Islamic scholars, Sheikh Musa Ayyuba Lukuwa and Malam Murtala Bello Assada.

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The development has drawn attention in Sokoto because of the religious dimension of the allegations and the support Mai Barewa enjoys among some youths and members of the community.

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The youths opposed the court decision, insisting that their concerns should be addressed through due process and calling for what they described as “justice and respect for the rule of law.”

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The situation, however, escalated when some of the protesters allegedly attacked security personnel in an attempt to forcefully secure Mai Barewa’s release from custody.

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“They attempted to take the law into their own hands and forcefully free him from custody,” a source familiar with the incident said.

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Security personnel were subsequently deployed to contain the situation and prevent further escalation, with the confrontation causing temporary disruption to movement in the affected areas.

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Mai Barewa’s case stems from a series of videos in which he was allegedly seen making threats against Lukuwa and Assada. The videos reportedly generated concern among residents and prompted calls for security agencies to investigate the matter.

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According to reports, Mai Barewa linked his alleged threat against Sheikh Lukuwa to comments attributed to the cleric concerning the parents of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). He also reportedly referred to disagreements with some authorities in another video.

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Assada had earlier said the alleged threats were reported to security agencies, claiming that Mai Barewa repeatedly threatened the clerics in several videos.

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The matter subsequently became a subject of legal proceedings, with the court ordering Mai Barewa’s re-arrest and remand. His supporters have, however, opposed his continued detention and demanded his release.

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The controversy has continued to attract public attention, particularly among religious communities in Sokoto, with supporters of Mai Barewa demanding his release, while others have urged authorities to treat the alleged threats seriously.

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The latest protest has also renewed calls for restraint, with stakeholders urging residents to allow the courts and security agencies to handle the matter rather than resorting to confrontation.

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“People should not take the law into their own hands. If there is a grievance, it should be addressed through the appropriate legal channels,” a stakeholder said.

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Authorities have since restored calm in the affected areas, while residents were urged to remain peaceful and avoid actions capable of disrupting public order.

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