by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
A restaurant operator has been reportedly lynched to death by being set ablaze, in Kasuwan-Garba Town, Mariga LGA of Niger State, over alleged ‘blasphemy’ against Prophet Muhammad.
According to reports by a national daily (Daily Trust newspaper), the incident occurred on Saturday after the woman, identified as Amaye, (other names withheld) made comments considered offensive while interacting with a customer in her restaurant.
Amaye was said to have made the alleged blasphemous remarks (not quoted or recorded), at her restaurant after a customer jokingly expressed interest in marrying her, citing the tradition of the Prophet.
The paper reports that the woman was first taken to the palace of the District Head of Kasuwan-Garba, who then handed her over to security operatives for investigation.
The security operatives were reportedly overwhelmed by the Muslim mobs and lynched the woman to dead and set her ablaze.
Council chairman of Mariga LGA, Abbas Adamu Kasuwan-Garba, confirmed the incident, saying normalcy had been restored in the town.
The spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, also confirmed the incident.
Abiodun said, “On 30/8/2025 at about 2pm, report received indicated that one Amaye, a female of Kasuwan-Garba, Mariga LGA, made some comments against the Islamic prophet.
“Unfortunately, it led to a mob attack and she was set ablaze before the reinforcement of the security teams.
“Meanwhile, efforts are being made to ensure that arrests are effected, investigated and prosecuted.” Recalled that similar incident occurred in Kano State where a Christian woman was brutally killed by mob suspected to be Muslims over alleged blasphemy.