In Niger state, northern Nigeria, a woman was burned to death by a mob after being accused of making blasphemous remarks about Prophet Muhammad, police said on Sunday.
The victim, identified by local media as food vendor Amaye, was attacked in Kasuwan Garba town on Saturday. According to witnesses, the violence broke out after she responded to a man’s joking marriage proposal in a manner some bystanders considered offensive.
“Unfortunately, it led to a mob attack, and she was set ablaze before security reinforcements could arrive at the scene,” state police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun said, denouncing the act as “jungle justice.” He assured that those responsible would be tracked down and prosecuted.
Authorities appealed for calm and cautioned residents against taking the law into their own hands.
Blasphemy is treated as a criminal offence under Sharia law in 12 predominantly Muslim northern states, though Nigeria’s constitution guarantees freedom of expression. Rights groups argue that this dual legal system fuels vigilante violence.
