One of the prime suspects in the murder of Deborah Samuel, the Shehu Shagari College of Education female student, has been categorised as a foreign intruder from the neighbouring Niger Republic by the police.
WITHIN NIGERIA recalls that the victim, a 200 level female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, was burnt to death within the school premises on Thursday for allegedly insulting Prophet Muhammad
According to Peoples Gazette, officials of the Sokoto State Police Command said the suspect could not yet be found in the metropolis despite his face being captured in a viral video, when he was boasting about his role in the lynching and burning of the 200-level student.
“We started looking for him immediately we saw his video on social media because he is fundamental to our investigation,” a top police source said.
“We are now learning that he is not even a Nigerian but only came in illegally from Niger Republic to cause chaos in our country.”
The official said Interpol might be enlisted to help arrest the suspect, even though many officers still hold that the suspect is a Nigerian and remained within the country’s borders.
“Some officers are saying he is a Nigerian and we need additional time to find him. We have no facial recognition database, but we are following all available intelligence on the matter.”
A police spokesman said he could not immediately provide additional updates about their handling of the crisis.
Meanwhile, the police commissioner, Kamaldeen Okunola, said he would not comment on the investigations.
The police have already announced that two suspects are being held over the murder, which continues to attract nationwide condemnation.
This publication had reported that on Saturday, violence broke out across the metropolis after Muslim youths stormed the palace of the Sultan to demand the release of suspects from custody.
The protesting Muslim youths reportedly attacked and burnt Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) and Catholic church during the rampage.