International Law and Recognition of State: US Foreign Policy Intrigues and Implications
Last week, a food vendor named, Amaye, was reportedly burnt to death by a mob at Kasuwan Garba Market in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State, after she was accused of alleged blasphemy.
According to reports, one man approached Amaye, where she was selling food and asked her hand in marriage to enable him (man) fulfill religious injunction.
It was in the process, according to reports, that an argument ensued between the duo leading the woman whose faith is not known to make the alleged blasphemous statement.
Consequently, she was said to have been led to the district head's palace where, under interrogation, she repeated the blasphemy, and as a result, the youths who were there took her away and stoned and burnt her to death.
It was laughable for the police to say that they were overpowered by the youths before re-enforcement could come, when in fact, they should have anticipated what would happen.
Such killings are not uncommon in north, where a minor disagreement or argument often leads to accusations of blasphemy, and then the mob would lynch the accused instantly.
In 2022, a student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, Deborah Samuel, was beaten and burnt alive after being accused of making blasphemous comments.
Last year, a butcher, Usman Buda, was stoned to death in the same state under similar circumstances.
It is shocking that the police have not arrested any of those who carried out the jungle justice.
The lynching of Amaye is one too many, and it is condemnable and deplorable.
Though the 1999 Constitution upholds freedom of religion and freedom of speech, many Nigerians have lost their lives for exercising these rights.
The Supreme Court had in the past ruled that blasphemy allegations must be proven in a court of law.
Above all, Section 10 of the 1999 Constitution prohibits adoption of any religion as a state religion.
Unfortunately, state government officials who should ensure that religious fanatics responsible for these deaths are immediately arrested and brought to justice, aid and abet these killings.
Since the state governments have failed to protect lives, the federal government should end this barbarism by investigating all cases of mob killings in the country and arresting all those involved in these reprehensible acts.