The Sokoto State Government has ordered the immediate closure of the Sheikh Musa Lukuwa Jumu’at Mosque in the Mabera area of the state following an attack on a cleric at the worship centre.

The government also constituted a committee of Islamic scholars to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and the religious tensions linked to it.

The Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Abubakar Bawa, disclosed this in a statement issued in Sokoto on Monday.

According to Bawa, the committee will examine the immediate and remote causes of the incident and advise the state government on measures needed to prevent further escalation and maintain peaceful coexistence.

He said the mosque had been shut and would remain closed until further notice as authorities were treating it as a crime scene.

The state government also dissociated itself from individuals who use religion as a pretext to undermine or disrespect Prophet Muhammad, his parents, household and companions.

Bawa urged residents to demonstrate love and compassion for the Prophet while refraining from inflammatory statements that could heighten tension or threaten peace in the state.

The government assured residents that it remained committed to protecting lives and property across Sokoto State.

The development followed an attack on September 11, when Sheikh Musa Lukuwa was reportedly stabbed shortly after leading the Juma’at prayer at the mosque.

The suspected attacker, said to be among the worshippers, allegedly stabbed the cleric twice in the neck before other worshippers overpowered him.

The suspect was subsequently killed by the worshippers, according to reports.

The state government’s decision to set up the probe panel is expected to provide further clarification on the circumstances surrounding the attack and the underlying religious tensions.