A tragic and disturbing incident unfolded on Saturday evening in Kasuwan-Garba, a town in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State, as a woman identified simply as Amaye was lynched and set ablaze by an angry mob for allegedly making blasphemous comments against Prophet Muhammad.
The victim, said to be a local food vendor, was reportedly attacked by Muslim youths after a heated exchange at her restaurant. According to multiple local sources, trouble started when a customer jokingly expressed a desire to marry her, referencing the Prophet’s tradition of marrying women. It was in response to this comment that Amaye allegedly made remarks that some around her considered blasphemous.
Word of the alleged blasphemy spread quickly in the community, leading to growing anger and calls for punishment. Fearing for her life, some residents took her to the palace of the District Head of Kasuwan-Garba in an effort to protect her from immediate harm and allow authorities to handle the matter.
However, despite this move, the situation spiraled out of control. The District Head reportedly handed Amaye over to security operatives for further investigation. Unfortunately, the security personnel were soon overwhelmed by a mob that forcefully took the woman and attacked her. She was beaten, lynched, and ultimately set on fire in full view of residents.
Chairman of Mariga Local Government Area, Abbas Adamu Kasuwan-Garba, confirmed the shocking development, stating that normalcy has since been restored to the town. He condemned the act and called for calm, assuring residents that authorities are investigating the matter.
The Niger State Police Command also confirmed the incident. Spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun said the police were aware of the attack and are taking steps to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
“Unfortunately, the woman was set ablaze before the reinforcement of the security teams arrived. Efforts are ongoing to identify, arrest, and prosecute the perpetrators,” Abiodun stated.
This incident has once again raised serious concerns about mob justice in Nigeria, especially in matters relating to religion and blasphemy. It is not the first time such a case has occurred. In May 2022, Deborah Samuel, a Christian student at Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto State, was similarly lynched by fellow students over alleged blasphemy. Her death sparked national and international outrage.
Nigeria, a country with deep religious sensitivities, especially in the northern region where Islam is predominantly practiced, has seen multiple cases where accusations of blasphemy led to extrajudicial killings. Such actions are illegal under Nigerian law, which provides for the right to a fair trial, even in cases involving sensitive religious matters.
As investigations into this latest killing continue, many Nigerians are calling for stronger action against those who take the law into their own hands. They also stress the importance of public education and community engagement to prevent such violent outcomes in the future.
