Crimes

Mob kills butcher over alleged blasphemy in Sokoto

A butcher, Usman Buda, has been killed in Sokoto State for allegedly making blasphemous remarks against Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

It was gathered that the incident, which occurred during a dispute with another trader, occurred at about 8 a.m. at the main Sokoto Abattoir on Sunday, June 25.

An eyewitness disclosed that the abattoir leaders attempted to save the butcher but were overpowered by the crowd.

It was learned that the crowd, largely composed of fellow butchers, beat Buda to death, with his body later removed by the police.

A security officer, who declined to be named, said Buda hails from Tambuwal Local Government Area but was living in Gidan Igwe, Sokoto North LGA.

Buda was known for selling cow entrails at the Sokoto Fish and Vegetables market, also known as Kasuwan Dankure.

A neighbour, Malam Yusuf, who expressed shock at Buda’s death, described the butcher as a religious individual and part of the Izala sect.

“There is no way he could make such a statement against the Holy Prophet. There must be a reason behind his murder,” Yusuf said.

Other individuals in the market, who also expressed disbelief over the incident, said Buda’s popularity in his business may have generated envy among his colleagues.

Confirming the incident, the Sokoto State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ahmad Rufa’i, stated that a team of policemen were led to the scene by the Commissioner of Police, Area Commander Metro, and DPO Kwanni, and discovered that the mob had dispersed and left Buda unconscious.

Rufa’i added that the butcher was rushed to Usmanu Danfodio Teaching Hospital in Sokoto, where he was later confirmed dead.

The Star