Blasphemy: Sokoto mob kill butcher, police unable to arrest perpetrators

The Sokoto State Police Command says it has launched an investigation into the killing of a butcher, Usman Buda, by extremist Muslims over an alleged blasphemous comment against an Islamic prophet.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the butcher made the comment during an argument with another trader around 8am on Sunday at the Sokoto Main Abattoir.

Angered by his comment, an angry mob descended on him, beat him till he became unconscious and fled the scene.

The police, who stormed the scene, in a bid to rescue the victim, rushed him to the Usmanu Danfodiyo Teaching Hospital Sokoto where he died during treatment.

Reacting to the development, the state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ahmad Rufa’i, said efforts were on to arrest the fleeing suspects.

He said, “A distress call was received around 09.20am that one Usman Buda of the Gwandu Local Government Area, a butcher at the 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 Divisional Police Officer, 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 the Usmanu Danfodiyo Teaching Hospital Sokoto for treatment and was later confirmed dead. Meanwhile, an investigation is on to arrest the perpetrators.”

PUNCH