The Kano State Police Command has rescued a man from an angry mob following an alleged blasphemy incident at a hotel in the Badawa area of Kano metropolis. The police intervention helped to prevent possible loss of life after residents reportedly attempted to attack the suspect over claims that he destroyed a copy of the Holy Qur’an.
The incident occurred at about 9:45 p.m. on December 21 at Sarina Hotel, located in Badawa Quarters, a densely populated area within the Kano Municipal axis. According to sources familiar with the incident, the situation quickly escalated before the police arrived to restore calm.
Sources said the police received a distress call from residents and hotel staff reporting that a young man was about to be attacked by a crowd over an alleged act considered offensive to Islamic beliefs.
According to preliminary information, three men identified as Musa Tasiu, Awwal Ibrahim and Soja Snu, all residents of Dorayi Quarters, had gone to the hotel earlier in the evening. The sources said the men allegedly went there to smoke shisha.
One of the sources alleged that during the visit, Musa Tasiu entered the hotel’s mosque area. It was claimed that he broke the glass door, picked up a copy of the Holy Qur’an and tore it. This action reportedly angered people within the hotel premises and nearby residents.
“Following the incident, people within the premises mobilised in large numbers, and the suspect was on the verge of being lynched,” one of the sources said.
As news of the alleged act spread within the area, a large crowd gathered, and tensions rose rapidly. Witnesses said the situation became volatile, with many people calling for immediate punishment of the suspect.
However, a patrol team from the Kano State Police Command, attached to the nearby division, responded swiftly to the distress call. The officers arrived at the scene and rescued the suspect from the crowd before serious harm could be done.
The police reportedly evacuated the suspect to safety and took control of the area to prevent further violence. Calm was later restored after the officers addressed the crowd and warned against taking the law into their own hands.
“The patrol team quickly responded to the call, rescued the suspect and restored calm in the area,” a source said.
The police also secured the hotel premises and dispersed the crowd to avoid further breakdown of law and order. No deaths or serious injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
As of the time of filing this report, the Kano State Police Command had not released an official statement naming the suspect or confirming the details of the allegation. However, sources said the suspect is currently in police custody while investigations continue.
The police have assured residents that a thorough investigation will be conducted to establish the facts surrounding the incident. They also warned members of the public against mob action, stressing that anyone found taking part in violence would be dealt with according to the law.
Blasphemy-related incidents are highly sensitive in Kano State and other parts of northern Nigeria, where Islam is widely practised. In the past, allegations of blasphemy have led to violent reactions, sometimes resulting in deaths and destruction of property.
Security agencies have repeatedly warned that such matters should be reported to the authorities rather than handled by individuals or groups. The police have stressed that Nigeria operates under the rule of law, and suspects must be allowed to face investigation and trial if necessary.
Human rights groups have also raised concerns over mob justice in many parts of the country. They say mob action often leads to the killing of innocent people, especially in cases where allegations turn out to be false or exaggerated.
Kano, as one of Nigeria’s largest cities, has witnessed several cases in the past where quick police intervention helped prevent violence. The state government and security agencies have continued to call on religious leaders, community heads and youth groups to promote peace and tolerance.
Residents of Badawa Quarters expressed relief that the situation did not escalate further. Some residents praised the police for their timely response, saying it helped prevent a major crisis.
A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “The situation was very tense. If the police had delayed, it could have turned into something very bad. We thank God that calm has returned.”
The incident has again highlighted the need for public awareness on peaceful conflict resolution and respect for the law. Community leaders have urged residents to remain calm and allow the authorities to handle sensitive matters through proper legal channels.
