The cleric was reportedly attacked by a young man believed to be among the worshippers at the mosque. The assailant allegedly stabbed Lukwa twice in the neck before other worshippers intervened
and overpowered him.
The suspect was subsequently killed by the cleric’s followers, according to the police.
The attack was reportedly connected to a sermon previously delivered by Lukwa, which had attracted controversy after some Islamic scholars and their followers considered the remarks offensive to the parents of Prophet Muhammad.
The sermon had earlier sparked tension in the community, with a man identified as Mai Barewa reportedly issuing threats against the cleric and one of his senior students.
Barewa was later arrested and arraigned before a court, where the case is said to remain pending.
It was also gathered that Lukwa and his followers submitted a written complaint to the Sokoto State Government four days before Friday’s incident, expressing concern over the alleged threats against them.
Confirming the attack, the spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, said the cleric was taken to the Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, where he was receiving treatment.
Rufa’i said the suspected attacker was killed by the cleric’s followers, adding that no arrest had been made in connection with the violence that followed the stabbing.
He said, “The cleric was stabbed and has been taken to the Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, where he is receiving treatment and responding to treatment.
“The suspect was killed by the cleric’s followers, and no arrest has been made in connection with the ensuing violence.”
The police spokesperson added that security measures had been deployed to prevent the situation from escalating, while an investigation was underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack and establish the identities of those involved.
The incident reportedly sparked protests in some parts of the metropolis after residents learnt that the cleric had survived the attack.
The resulting tension was said to have affected areas including Sahara, Bello Way and Aliyu Jodi, where some business owners reportedly shut their shops over fears of possible attacks.
Some residents also left commercial areas as security operatives took positions at strategic locations across the city to maintain peace and
prevent further violence.
The police subsequently appealed to residents to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands, assuring that the circumstances surrounding the incident were being investigated.
