On Sunday, the Sokoto State Police Command confirmed the murder of a butcher, Usman Buda, for alleged blasphemy.
According to ASP Ahmad Rufa’i, the command’s Public Relations Officer, who confirmed the killing in a statement on Sunday, a distress call was received at 9:20 a.m. that the victim, Usman Buda of Gwandu Local Government Area, a butcher at Sokoto Abattoir, had allegedly blasphemed the Holy Prophet and was about to be lynched by a mob.
“Upon receiving the information,” the statement says, “the Commissioner of Police, Area Commander Metro, and DPO Kwanni led a team of policemen and all other operational commanders to the scene.”
The mob apparently dispersed upon seeing police officers, leaving the victim comatose.
Buda was rescued and sent to Usmanu Danfodio University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) for treatment, but he died later.
According to the authorities, an investigation is underway to apprehend the criminals and bring them to justice.
