A tragic incident has occurred in Kasuwan-Garba, Niger State, where a woman identified by local media as Amaye, a food vendor, was burned to death by a mob after being accused of blaspheming the Prophet Muhammad.
According to eyewitness reports, the violence was triggered when a man jokingly proposed marriage to Amaye, and her response was deemed blasphemous by some in the community. This quickly escalated into mob action, leading to her being set ablaze before security reinforcements could arrive.
The Niger State Police Command condemned the killing as “jungle justice.” Police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun confirmed that investigations are ongoing to apprehend and prosecute those responsible. He also urged the public to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands.
Incidents of mob killings over alleged blasphemy are not uncommon in northern Nigeria, where Sharia law operates alongside secular law in 12 states. Rights groups, including Amnesty International, have repeatedly warned that blasphemy accusations are often weaponized to settle personal disputes. Amnesty stressed that minor disagreements or deliberately orchestrated arguments can lead to false allegations, resulting in instant mob lynchings.
This latest killing adds to a worrying trend. In 2022, student Deborah Samuel was beaten and burned alive in Sokoto State over alleged blasphemous comments. In 2023, a butcher, Usman Buda, was stoned to death under similar accusations. Critics argue that insufficient action has been taken to prevent such extrajudicial killings, which have targeted both Muslims and Christians.
While Nigeria’s constitution guarantees freedom of speech, blasphemy remains a deeply divisive issue. The Supreme Court has previously ruled that allegations of blasphemy must be proven in a court of law, but the persistence of mob violence underscores the fragile balance between faith, justice, and rule of law in the country.
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