Youths Protest in Sokoto Over Cleric's Remand

Tension rose in Sokoto on Monday as youths protested against the continued detention of an Islamic cleric, Dahiru Mai Barewa. They clashed with security forces during their demonstrations.

The protesters blocked roads and marched through parts of the city, calling for Mai Barewa's release. Security agents had to step in to restore order and ease the situation.

This protest followed a court order that led to the re-arrest and remand of Mai Barewa. He is facing serious accusations of threatening the lives of Islamic scholars, Sheikh Musa Ayyuba Lukuwa and Malam Murtala Bello Assada.

The issue has caught the attention of many in Sokoto due to the religious aspects involved. Mai Barewa has a good number of supporters among the youths and the local community.

The protesters were unhappy with the court's decision. They argued that their grievances should be handled properly through legal means. They demanded “justice and respect for the rule of law.”

Things escalated when some protesters reportedly attacked security personnel. They wanted to forcefully free Mai Barewa from custody. A source familiar with the event said, “They attempted to take the law into their own hands and forcefully free him from custody.”

In response, security personnel were deployed to control the situation. The confrontations caused temporary disruptions in the affected areas.

Mai Barewa's situation began with videos where he allegedly threatened Lukuwa and Assada. These videos raised concerns among the residents, prompting calls for an investigation by security agencies.

Reports say that Mai Barewa connected his threats against Sheikh Lukuwa to comments the cleric made about the parents of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). He also mentioned disagreements with some authorities in another video.

Assada had previously reported the threats to security agencies. He claimed that Mai Barewa repeatedly threatened the clerics in multiple videos.

The case then moved into the legal system, leading to the court's order for Mai Barewa's re-arrest and remand. His supporters are still pushing against his detention and want him released.

The situation continues to draw public interest, especially among religious groups in Sokoto. Supporters of Mai Barewa are calling for his release, while others want the authorities to take the threats seriously.

The recent protests have reignited calls for calm. Stakeholders are asking residents to let the courts and security agencies handle the situation instead of taking matters into their own hands. “People should not take the law into their own hands. If there is a grievance, it should be addressed through the appropriate legal channels,” said a stakeholder.

Calm has been restored in the affected areas. Residents are being urged to maintain peace and avoid actions that could disturb public order.