Niger State, Nigeria – A woman identified locally as food vendor Amaye was killed by a mob in Kasuwan-Garba town, Niger State, northern Nigeria, after being accused of blaspheming the Prophet Muhammad, authorities have confirmed.
Police condemned the attack as “jungle justice” and confirmed that an investigation is underway to apprehend and prosecute those responsible. According to eyewitness accounts cited by local media, the incident was triggered when a man jokingly proposed marriage to Amaye, and her response was interpreted as blasphemous by some residents.
“Unfortunately, it led to a mob attack, and she was set ablaze before reinforcements could arrive,” state police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun said. He urged the public to remain calm and warned against taking the law into their own hands.
Blasphemy-related violence is not uncommon in northern Nigeria, where Islamic (Sharia) law operates alongside secular law in 12 predominantly Muslim states. Rights group Amnesty International has highlighted that accusations of blasphemy are frequently “weaponised to settle personal scores,” often escalating minor disagreements into deadly mob attacks.
In recent years, other high-profile cases have drawn international attention. In 2022, student Deborah Samuel was beaten and burned alive in Sokoto State over alleged blasphemy, while in 2023, a butcher, Usman Buda, was stoned to death under similar circumstances.
Nigeria’s constitution guarantees freedom of speech, and the Supreme Court has ruled that blasphemy allegations must be adjudicated in court. Nevertheless, critics argue that insufficient measures have been taken to prevent mob lynchings that have claimed both Muslim and Christian victims.
The Niger State police have pledged to bring the perpetrators to justice, highlighting the urgent need for stronger enforcement of the law to prevent further tragedies.
Source – My News Ghana
