The Mafia burns a woman to death for claiming a blasphemy against the prophet Mohammed

A woman was burned to death by a mafia in Niger in Northern Nigeria after being accused of blasphemy against the Prophet Mohammed, police said.

Police condemned the murder of a woman – identified in local media as a food supplier named Amai – as a “jungle justice”, saying an investigation was being conducted to arrest and pursue the perpetrators.

The local media cited eyewitnesses, saying that a man jokingly proposed a marriage to the seller and her answer was considered blasphemous with some people in the area.

“Unfortunately, this led to an attack on the mafia and (she) was lit before reinforcing the scene of the scene of the accident,” said State Police spokesman Wassi Abiodun.

He appeals to the members of the public to remain calm and not to accept the law in their own hands after the murder on Saturday in the city of Caswvan-Garba.

Such murders are not uncommon in Northern Nigeria, where blasphemy is considered a criminal crime under Islamic (Sharia) law, which operates along with secular law in 12 mainly Muslim countries.

At least two other people have been lynched for such accusations over the last three years, with critics pointing out that it is not done enough to prevent killings aimed at both Muslims and Christians.

In 2022, Student Deborah Samuel was beaten and burned alive in the state of Soko after being accused of making blasphemous comments.

Last year, Messar, Usman Buddha, was killed to death in the same condition in such circumstances.

Although Nigeria’s Constitution maintains freedom of expression, the country remains deeply divided by faith and justice.

The Supreme Court of Nigeria in the past ruled that the accusations of blasphemy must be proved in court.