The Sokoto State Government has ordered the immediate closure of the Musa Lukuwa Jumu’at Mosque in Mabera, Sokoto metropolis, following a violent attack on Islamic cleric Sheikh Musa Ayuba Lukuwa.
The government also announced the establishment of a committee of Islamic scholars, known as Ulamas, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and the wider religious tensions that preceded it.
The development followed the stabbing of Lukuwa shortly after he led the Friday congregational prayer at the mosque on September 11. Police said the cleric was attacked with a sharp weapon, while the suspected assailant was subsequently overpowered and killed by a mob.
Lukuwa survived the attack and received medical treatment. Police authorities had earlier condemned the killing of the alleged attacker and urged residents to avoid taking the law into their own hands.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director-General, Media and Publicity at the Sokoto State Government House, Abubakar Bawa, the government declared the mosque a crime scene and directed that it remain shut until further notice.
The newly constituted committee has been tasked with examining both the immediate and underlying causes of the crisis and recommending measures capable of preventing a recurrence.
The incident reportedly came amid growing tension over comments attributed to Lukuwa during an earlier sermon. The remarks had generated controversy among some Islamic scholars and their followers, with reports of threats against the cleric before the mosque attack.
The state government said it had ordered a comprehensive investigation into the attack and the events that followed, while stressing the need for peace and stability.
Authorities also appealed to residents, religious leaders and other stakeholders to avoid inflammatory statements or actions that could further heighten tensions.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and urged residents to allow the relevant authorities to address the matter through lawful means.
Security agencies have continued to maintain a presence in affected areas as efforts intensify to prevent further violence and restore calm across the metropolis.
