Deborah Samuel’s murder a sin against God – Archbishop of Canterbury

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has described the murder of Deborah Samuel as a sin against God.

Deborah, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto was murdered by angry Muslim youths on allegation of blasphemy.

Her remains were also burnt by the youths who made a video of the process and uploaded it on social media.

Condemning the killing, Welby, in a series of tweets, urged the Nigerian government to protect religious freedom.

Welby wrote: “I strongly condemn the appalling stoning to death of a Christian woman in Sokoto, Nigeria. This violence is a sin against God. I pray for the family and loved ones of Deborah Samuel.

“I have spent much time in northern Nigeria working with others in pursuit of reconciliation and interfaith dialogue. I am profoundly disappointed and grieved that such violence still takes place in God’s name.”I’m grateful for those Nigerian Muslim leaders that have condemned this atrocity. I call for renewed efforts by the Nigerian Government to ensure liberty and equality under the law – whether for Christians or Muslims – which was so tragically absent in this case. I urged people to pray for interfaith dialogue, reconciliation and peace in Nigeria.”