Deborah Samuel: US honours Sokoto student killed over alleged blasphemy

The United States Department of State has honoured Deborah Samuel, 200 Level student of Home Economics at Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, who was killed and set ablaze by Islamic extremists.

KEMI FILANI NEWS recalls that Deborah was murdered and set ablaze for advising her classmates against posting religious materials on their WhatsApp page.

Deborah’s picture was uploaded on the website of the US Office of Religious Freedom to mark the US International Day Commemorating the Victims of Violence Based on Religion or Belief on August 22.

The US Office of Religious Freedom promotes universal respect for freedom of religion or belief for all as a core objective of US foreign policy.

The office also monitors religiously motivated abuses, harassment, and discrimination, as well as recommends, develops, and implements policies and programs to address such concerns.

The office wrote, “In May, a mob brutally stoned, flogged, and burned to death college student Deborah Samuel in Nigeria, in an attack fueled by hatred and blasphemy allegations, even as authorities attempted to stop it. We honor her life as we continue the work to end such vicious violence.”