A butcher, Usman Buda, on Sunday was beaten and stoned to death by the Islamic extremists for allegedly blaspheming Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Though the police, after receiving a distress call about the incident, rescued and took the victim to Usmanu Danfodiyo Teaching Hospital in Sokoto for treatment, he was confirmed dead by the medical doctor on duty.
It was learnt that the alleged comment the victim made during an argument with another trader on Sunday morning at the Sokoto main abattoir made the extremists angry.
Despite attempts of the victim’s closest business partners in the market to rescue him, the extremists could not be pacified as they went ahead to beat and to stoned him to death.
Some of those that attempted to rescue him were said to have sustained injuries and were admitted to the hospital.
Meanwhile, police authorities in Sokoto State said investigation has commenced on the matter, promising to investigate the incident and bring perpetrators to book.
The Sokoto State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, Ahmad Rufa’i, said: “A distress call was received at about 09:20 am that one Usman Buda of Gwandu Local Government Area, a butcher at Sokoto Abattoir, allegedly blasphemed the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as a result he was mobbed and attacked.
“Upon receiving the information, the Commissioner of Police, Area Commander Metro and DPO Kwanni led a team of policemen and all other operational commanders to the scene.
“On arrival, the mob escaped the scene and left the victim unconscious, where he was rescued and taken to Usmanu Danfodiyo Teaching Hospital Sokoto, for treatment and was later confirmed dead. Meanwhile, Investigation is on to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to book.”
Meanwhile, the governor of Sokoto State, Ahmed Aliyu, was reported to have vowed that his administration will deal decisively with anyone, who commits ‘blasphemy’ against the Islamic Prophet Muhammad bin Abdullah (PBUH).
In a statement by his spokesperson, Abubakar Bawa, the governor warned 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.”
The governor said there’s a need for all the residents to respect and protect the prophet’s dignity and personality.
According to the statement: “We are calling on the people of the state to remain calm and law-abiding at all times. We are also cautioning the people against any act capable of degrading the personality of Prophet Muhammad SAW, especially in a state like Sokoto, which is a predominantly 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.
“I want to call on the people of Sokoto State to avoid taking laws into their own hands and instead 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. So, we warn would-be troublemakers to have a change of mind because Sokoto is the wrong place for them.
“The present administration will not take the issue of blasphemy lightly, and will deal decisively with anyone found guilty of any act aimed at degrading the personality of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, in line with the provision of Islamic laws.
“We are assuring the people of the state of our administration’s commitment to guarantee the safety of lives and property of all law-abiding citizens.”