Protest Erupts in Sokoto Over Court Order Remanding Islamic Cleric

Tension briefly spread through parts of Sokoto on Monday as youths protested the continued detention of Islamic cleric Dahiru Mai Barewa and clashed with security personnel.

The protesters blocked some roads and demanded Mai Barewa’s release after a court ordered his re-arrest and remand. They said their concerns should be handled through due process and called for “justice and respect for the rule of law.” The confrontation escalated when some protesters allegedly attacked security personnel in an attempt to free the cleric.

Mai Barewa faces allegations that he issued death threats against Islamic scholars Sheikh Musa Ayyuba Lukuwa and Malam Murtala Bello Assada. The case stems from a series of videos in which he was allegedly seen making threats. Reports said he linked one alleged threat to comments attributed to Lukuwa about the parents of the Prophet Muhammad, and referred to disagreements with authorities in another video.

“

They attempted to take the law into their own hands and forcefully free him from custody.

Assada had earlier said the alleged threats were reported to security agencies and that Mai Barewa had repeatedly threatened the clerics in several videos. His supporters have opposed his continued detention, while others have urged authorities to treat the allegations seriously.

Security personnel were deployed to contain the unrest and prevent further escalation, temporarily disrupting movement in affected areas. The latest protest has renewed calls for restraint and for residents to leave the matter to the courts and security agencies.

“

Justice and respect for the rule of law.