The butcher identified as Usman Buda was killed for allegedly blaspheming Prophet Muhammad.
A veterinary doctor has disclosed the comments that got a butcher killed by a mob on Sunday in Sokoto, Northwest Nigeria over alleged blasphemy.
The butcher identified as Usman Buda was killed for allegedly blaspheming Prophet Muhammad.
The butcher allegedly made the comment during an argument at the Sokoto main abattoir around 8 am on Sunday.
In viral audio files, a veterinary doctor narrated the events that led to the gruesome murder of Buda on Sunday.
He said in Hausa, “I was his customer for over four years. He was selling cow entrails by the gate of Dankure market. The first time I met him was during my routine visit to the market to inspect the hygienic conditions of meat on sale before human consumption.
“On the day he was killed, he got into an argument with some people before he was gruesomely murdered by mob action.
“After the incident, I recalled that he was a devoted member of the 'Allissunna' sect so you know that given his knowledge he couldn't have blasphemed the prophet as his killers would want us to believe.
“They were arguing about the allegation of blasphemy levelled against Sheik Abdul’azeez Bauchi. He attempted to explain that the Sheik was right to have held that it is not proper to entreat somebody to do something in the name of the prophet. He said doing that was like associating or equating the prophet with God.
“While they were arguing, another person joined them and the person said it was proper to entreat in the name of God, the prophet and even Usmanu Danfodiyo's name. The person then declared that for anyone who felt otherwise, God permitted us to spill his blood.
“In the twinkling of an eye, the miscreants gathered around, chanting, "Give him the devil's treat!" Then they began stoning him. He was taken into protective custody by the manager of the market who invited three policemen.
“The police officers had no firearms. Unfortunately, the mob overpowered the police and stoned him to death.”
Islamic preacher, Imam Dr Idris Abdul’aziz of Dutsen Tanshi Jummaat mosque, also known as Sheikh Aldul’aziz Bauchi was on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, granted bail by a Chief Magistrate Court in Bauchi.
Abdul’aziz was remanded in the Bauchi Correctional Centre after being arraigned for alleged “public disturbance and inciting public unrest.”
Some Islamic organisations led by Fitiyanul Isla had accused the cleric of making of hate speeches against prominent clerics in the state and Prophet Muhammad. He had honoured a police invitation before being charged over the allegation.
SaharaReporters on Sunday reported that Buda was killed for allegedly blaspheming Prophet Muhammad.
The police confirmed that he was rescued unconscious and taken to hospital where he later died.
Isa Sanusi, Acting Director of Amnesty International Nigeria on Sunday in a statement urged Nigerian authorities to investigate the incident.
He said, "Amnesty International strongly condemns the killing of Usman Buda today at a market in Sokoto over alleged blasphemy. Nigerian authorities must immediately investigate this horrifying incident and ensure that those suspected of being responsible are brought justice.
“The alarming uptick in blasphemy killings and accusations underscores the urgency with which the authorities must wake up to Nigeria’s international legal obligations to respect and protect human rights, including freedom of religion, opinion and expression.
“Nigerian authorities need no more evidence to see how dangerous accusations of blasphemy are — leading to unlawful killings and even whole communities being attacked and their homes burnt.
“By failing again and again to ensure that those suspected of responsibility of killing(s) over alleged blasphemy are brought to justice, the Nigerian authorities continue to create a permissive environment for brutality."
In May 2022, SaharaReporters reported how a female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto, Deborah Samuel, was burnt to death by her colleagues for allegedly insulting Prophet Muhammad.
She was beaten and killed by Muslim students who dragged her out of her hostel.
Meanwhile, her gruesome murder was connected to a voice note the deceased sent to her class WhatsApp group.
According to a Twitter link as seen by SaharaReporters, the female student was said to have sent a voice note, protesting against the incessant sending of ‘unnecessary messages’ to the group by her mates.
Her death attracted the outrage of many Nigerians including the Sultan of Sokoto State, who condemned the unwarranted attack and called on the police to investigate and arrest the perpetrators.
However, over a year after her gruesome murder, the police have yet to arrest any of her killers.