Blasphemy: Nigeria creating ‘environment’ for massacres by religious fanatics, says Amnesty International

Amnesty International has berated the Nigerian government for failing to bring to justice Islamic fanatics who lynch alleged blasphemers of Islam. The rights organisation pointed out that the country is creating a “permissive environment” for brutality by not bringing the killers to book.

“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. #Sokoto #Nigeria #Blasphemy,” Amnesty noted.

The human rights organisation stated this in a statement condemning the killing of Usman Buda, a trader at an abattoir in Sokoto, for alleged blasphemy on Sunday.

“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 to justice,” stated Amnesty.

Peoples Gazette on Sunday reported how Islamic fanatics killed Usman Buda Sokoto for blasphemy.

Ahmad Rufai, the police spokesman in Sokoto, said investigations were on to apprehend Mr Buda’s killers.

Religious fanaticism is rampant in Nigeria’s North.

Peoples Gazette on Sunday reported how Islamic fanatics killed Mr Buda in the market at an abattoir in Sokoto.

Lynching alleged blasphemers is considered a righteous act by many professed Muslims in Nigeria.

Mr Buda’w murder came barely a year after Deborah Samuel, a Christian student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Wamako, Sokoto, was killed over a similar allegation of blasphemy by Islamic fanatics.

In May, The Gazette reported how Nigerian police charged Ms Samuel’s killers with “public disturbance” and failed to show up in court as prosecutors.

Isa Pantami, ex-communications minister under President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime, was exposed by Peoples Gazette for plots with some Muslim leaders to wipe away Christians from northern parts of Nigeria violently.

“They should know that we have more control of the masses and the youth,” Mr Pantami and other Muslim leaders said during the meeting held at Bauchi Central Mosque, according to a communique seen by Peoples Gazette. “Any attempt by the Christians to disobey or revolt against the decision shall mean fighting against the religion of Allah which the followers of Allah shall not watch but we shall violently wipe away the Christians in these states.”