In a cautionary message to the residents of Sokoto, Governor Ahmed Aliyu asserted the importance of refraining from engaging in any actions that may tarnish the revered persona of Prophet Muhammad. Sadly, on Sunday, a tragic incident occurred where Usman Buda, a trader, was brutally murdered by a mob in Sokoto due to allegations of blasphemy.
Governor Aliyu assures the public that diligent efforts are being made to apprehend the perpetrators responsible for the lynching of Mr. Buda.
On Sunday, in Governor Aliyu’s statement relayed by his spokesperson, Abubakar Bawa said: ‘The governor cautioned the people against any act capable of degrading the personality of Prophet Muhammad SAW, especially in a state like Sokoto, which is predominantly a Muslim-dominated community,’
‘Sokoto people have so much respect and regard for Prophet Muhammad SAW. Hence the need for all the residents to respect, protect his dignity and personality.’
Mr. Aliyu assured the public that there will be no impunity for those responsible for the heinous murder of Mr. Buda. ensuring that the culprits are arrested, brought to justice, and held accountable for their actions. ‘I want to call on the people of Sokoto state to avoid taking laws into their hands. Instead, they report any alleged crime or blasphemy to the appropriate quarters for necessary action. Our religion does not encourage taking laws into one’s hands, so let us try to be good followers of our religion.’
In Africa’s most populous country, Nigeria, the prevalence of religious conflicts surrounding blasphemy remains a significant concern.
Tragically, public acts of lynching against individuals perceived as blasphemers have become all too frequent. These incidents often involve some self-proclaimed Muslims who resort to mob action, lynching those accused of insulting the Prophet Muhammad or the Quran.
Read also: Blasphemy: We Are Yet To Find Deborah’s Killers – Police
In earlier reports, Mr. Buda was brutally murdered by Islamic extremists in Sokoto’s market located at an abattoir.
Before Mr. Buda’s tragic murder, Deborah Samuel, a Christian student at Shehu Shagari College of Education in Wamako, Sokoto, was also killed by Islamic extremists on similar grounds of blasphemy. This incident occurred less than a year ago.
The police underlined that blasphemy is considered a criminal offense in Nigeria, just as lynching punishable crime. They made a promise that Mr. Buda’s murderers will be arrested and held accountable for their actions.
However, it was reported in May that the police had charged Ms. Samuel’s killers with the offense of “public disturbance” and failed to appear in court as prosecutors.
It was discovered that Isa Pantami, former Minister of Communications in President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, was involved in conspiracies with certain Muslim leaders to forcefully eradicate Christians from northern regions of Nigeria.
‘They should know that we have more control of the masses and the youth,’ Mr. Pantami and other Muslim leaders said during the meeting held at Bauchi Central Mosque.
‘Any attempt by the Christians to disobey or revolt against the decision shall mean fighting against the religion of Allah which the followers of Allah shall not watch but we shall violently wipe away the Christians in these states.’
The current situation is extremely alarming and screams for immediate intervention from the relevant authorities.