Residents of parts of Sokoto metropolis were thrown into brief tension on Monday after youths protesting the continued detention of Islamic cleric, Dahiru Mai Barewa, confronted security operatives.
The protesters were demanding the cleric’s release following a court directive ordering his re-arrest and remand over alleged threats against two Islamic scholars, Sheikh Musa Ayyuba Lukuwa and Malam Murtala Bello Assada.
The demonstrators reportedly occupied some roads in the metropolis, disrupting movement before security personnel moved in to disperse them and prevent the situation from escalating.
The protest later turned confrontational when some of the youths allegedly attempted to secure Mai Barewa’s release by force and engaged security personnel.
A source familiar with the incident said, “They attempted to take the law into their own hands and forcefully free him from custody.”
Mai Barewa’s legal troubles reportedly followed the emergence of videos in which he was alleged to have issued threats against Lukuwa and Assada. The recordings generated concern among residents and subsequently attracted the attention of security agencies.
Reports indicated that Mai Barewa’s alleged threat against Lukuwa was linked to comments attributed to the scholar concerning the parents of Prophet Muhammad, while another video reportedly contained references to disagreements involving some authorities.
Assada had earlier alleged that the threats were repeatedly made against the clerics in several videos and that the matter was reported to the appropriate security authorities.
The court subsequently ordered Mai Barewa’s re-arrest and remand, a decision that his supporters have rejected while demanding his release. The development has continued to generate debate within the state, particularly among religious communities.
Security personnel have since brought the situation under control, while stakeholders appealed to the protesters and other residents to remain calm and allow the legal process to run its course.