Blasphemy: It’s Disappointing That People Still Kill In The Name of God – Archbishop of Canterbury Condemns Deborah’s Lynching

The revered cleric said it was disappointing that people were still killing in the name of God.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby has reacted to the lynching of a 200-level student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Deborah Samuel Yakubu.

Recall that Deborah was killed on the school premises in Sokoto by Muslim extremists for allegedly blaspheming Prophet Muhammad.

Welby condemned her killing.

Welby, who is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury, said this in a series of tweets late on Wednesday.

The revered cleric said it was disappointing that people were still killing in the name of God.

He, therefore, called on the Nigerian government to ensure that religious rights are protected.

Welby stated, “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, and I continue to pray fervently for the nation of Nigeria.

“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.”

Welby is known to be close to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) whom he has visited at least four times.

In 2019, pro-transparency group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, sent an open letter to Welby and asked him to convince Buhari to obey court orders and respect the rule of law.