Mob Burns Woman to Death Over Alleged Blasphemy in Niger State, Nigeria

Photo of a mob

A woman has been burned to death by a mob in Kasuwan-Garba town, Niger State, northern Nigeria, after she was accused of making blasphemous remarks against Prophet Muhammad, police confirmed.

The victim, identified locally as a food vendor named Amaye, was killed on Saturday after a confrontation reportedly escalated when a man jokingly proposed marriage to her. Eyewitnesses claimed that her response was considered blasphemous by some people present, sparking a violent mob attack.

Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun described the incident as an act of “jungle justice” and said officers were working to identify, arrest, and prosecute those responsible. He added that the woman was set ablaze before security reinforcements could arrive at the scene.

Authorities have appealed to residents to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands.

Photo of a mob

Mob killings over blasphemy accusations are not uncommon in northern Nigeria, where Sharia law operates alongside secular law in 12 predominantly Muslim states. Human rights groups have long criticized the government for failing to prevent such extrajudicial killings, which have targeted both Muslims and Christians.

In 2022, student Deborah Samuel was beaten and burned alive in Sokoto State over alleged blasphemous comments. In 2023, a butcher named Usman Buda was stoned to death in the same state under similar accusations.

While Nigeria’s constitution protects freedom of speech, the country remains deeply divided on issues of religion and justice. The Supreme Court of Nigeria has previously ruled that blasphemy allegations must be proven in a court of law, not through mob violence.