Tension in Mabera as Malam Musa Lukwa survives knife attack, suspect beaten to death by worshippers
Panic and anger swept through Mabera area of Sokoto metropolis on Friday afternoon after an Islamic scholar was stabbed right inside his mosque moments after leading Juma’at prayers.
The cleric, Malam Musa Lukwa, was reportedly attacked from behind by a young man who had been seated among worshippers in the front row. According to eyewitnesses, the assailant stabbed the scholar twice in the neck immediately after the prayer ended.
What happened next triggered chaos. Before security operatives could intervene, other worshippers at the mosque overpowered the attacker and beat him to death on the spot.
Sources in Sokoto say the incident may not have been random. The attack is believed to be connected to a sermon Malam Lukwa delivered weeks ago.
In that sermon, the cleric cited a Hadith that some scholars from the Tariqa order considered offensive to the parents of Prophet Muhammad, SAW. The comments sparked controversy and heated debate among Islamic circles in the state.
Following the sermon, the suspect, identified locally as Mai Barewa, was said to have openly threatened to kill Malam Lukwa and his senior student, Malam Murtala Assada.
The cleric and his followers took the matter to the police. Mai Barewa was arrested, arraigned, and later remanded in a correctional facility while the case was pending in court.
Just four days before Friday’s attack, Malam Lukwa and Malam Assada also visited the Sokoto State Government House to submit a written complaint over the threats.
Confirming the attack, the spokesman of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufa’i, said Malam Lukwa is currently receiving treatment at the Specialist Hospital, Sokoto.
According to Rufa’i, the suspected attacker was killed by angry followers of the cleric immediately after the stabbing. He added that no arrest has been made regarding the mob action yet.
“The command has deployed personnel to the area to prevent further breakdown of law and order. We are investigating the circumstances surrounding both the attack and the killing of the suspect,” the PPRO stated.
The Friday incident has heightened tension in parts of Sokoto city, with residents calling on religious leaders and government to intervene quickly before the situation escalates.
Security agencies have since increased patrols around major mosques in the metropolis as Juma’at prayers continue across the state.
Community leaders are urging both scholars and followers to avoid utterances and actions that could incite violence, stressing that differences in religious interpretation should be resolved through dialogue and lawful channels.
As of press time, Malam Musa Lukwa was said to be in stable condition and responding to treatment.
