A woman has been lynched and set ablaze by a mob in Kasuwan-Garba, Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State, after she was accused of making remarks deemed blasphemous during a conversation with a customer in her restaurant.
Witnesses said the incident began when the customer jokingly proposed marriage to her, invoking the example of the Prophet. The woman’s response, considered offensive by some present, quickly escalated into accusations of blasphemy.
She was initially taken before the District Head of Kasuwan-Garba, who handed her over to security operatives for investigation. However, before she could be moved to safety, an angry crowd overpowered the security detail, dragged her away, and burnt her to death.
The Niger State Police Command confirmed the killing in a statement issued on Saturday in Minna. Police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun said the woman, identified as Amaye, was attacked on August 30 at around 2:00 p.m.
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“Unfortunately, it led to a mob attack, and the woman was set ablaze before the reinforcement of security teams could arrive at the scene,” Abiodun said. He added that while calm has returned to the town, the command condemns “the act of jungle justice” and has begun an investigation to identify and prosecute those responsible.
Human rights advocates have condemned the killing, describing it as part of a worrying pattern of mob justice in parts of northern Nigeria. Rights groups have urged authorities to move beyond post-incident condemnations and adopt stronger preventive measures to protect lives and uphold the rule of law.
The case has reignited debate over blasphemy-related violence in Nigeria, where similar incidents in the past have drawn national and international concern.