The Sokoto State Government has ordered the immediate closure of the Lukuwa Jumu’at Mosque in Mabera, Sokoto metropolis, following the stabbing of Islamic cleric, Sheikh Musa Lukuwa, shortly after Friday prayers.

The government also ordered a full investigation into the incident and the subsequent killing of the alleged attacker by worshippers, declaring the mosque a crime scene until further notice.

The directives were contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Abubakar Bawa.

According to the statement, the decision was taken to enable security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack and the death of the alleged assailant.

The Sokoto State Police Command had earlier said the suspect attacked Lukuwa with a knife shortly after the Friday prayers. Police spokesman, Ahmad Rufa’i, said the command received a distress call at about 1:50pm and that the worshippers subsequently overpowered and beat the alleged attacker to death.

Lukuwa was taken to hospital for treatment and later appealed for calm, urging his followers and members of the public to avoid retaliation or any action capable of escalating tension.

The state government also constituted a committee of Islamic scholars, or ulamas, to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the religious tensions and advise the government on appropriate measures.

It further appealed to residents to refrain from making inflammatory statements capable of threatening peaceful coexistence in the state.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and urged residents to remain calm as investigations into the incident continue.