The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states has condemned the brutal killing of a female food seller, Ammaye, in the Mariga local government Area of Niger State.
The woman was stoned to death by a mob of angry youths over alleged blasphemous statement against Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The Chairman of Northern CAN, Rev. John Hayab, in an interview with LEADERSHIP, described the act as dastardly and disgraceful, calling on the Niger State government to immediately arrest and prosecute the perpetrators.
Rev Hayab blame the failure of the justice system and religious leaders for allowing such acts to persist.
“These people must be fetched and arrested. The government of Niger state must insist that the Commissioner of Police should produce those who did this evil. And let the people see that these people are taken to court, and justice is done,” he said.
He noted that this would make potential perpetrators of such evil to desist if invited to participate in such act in the future.
“All that has happened in different parts of Nigeria, we just play games and just talk about it,” he said.
He emphasised the shared humanity of all Nigerians, stating, “At least here, they will not be saying that because she is a Christians, even if she is a Muslim, she is a human being.
“We cannot allow our citizens to be going through this kind of terrible inhuman treatment from each other because some people are trying to be fanatical, to show other people that they love God more than others. All of us love God,” he said.
Hayab described recurring issue of such killing as a serious indictment on all religious leaders, lamenting that followers have not been taught well enough to understand that killing is wrong.
“People cannot just be taking things into their hands and every day killing fellow human beings and hide under the blasphemy. It is also an indictment to our government.
“Because those who keep killing people, hiding under the hateful blasphemy of the Prophet have really never been arrested or brought to justice,” he said.
He challenged the legal basis for such killings, asking, “Where in our law did we permit you to kill someone because he said something negative about your religion or your identity or your faith or your deity? That should not be allowed in a civilised community.”
The Northern CAN chairman called for a dual approach to solving the problem, that religious leaders must teach tolerance, and the government must enforce the law without fear or favour.
“The challenge is now back to us as religious leaders to seriously teach our people, and show them that this act is itself against our faith and then the government to act without delay to arrest those who perpetrate this evil,” he said.
He warned against the pressure often applied to free suspects, saying, “Once such people are arrested, the same religious leaders will go, put pressure on the police, put pressure on either the court or government and ensure that those who make such blasphemous statements are released. They are supposed to be brought to justice.”
Hayab appealed for action, insisting that this case must not be like others that are forgotten. “I think this one should be one that we should take strong action, not just condemning it, but go after the perpetrators and let justice be done,” he said.
LEADERSHIP recalls that the incident occurred at Kasuwan Garba town in Niger State when the woman, identified as Amaye allegedly made blasphemous statement at her restaurant after a customer jokingly expressed interest in marrying her, citing the tradition of the Prophet.
The matter was taken to the palace of the District Head of Kasuwan Garba, where the victim allegedly repeated the statement.
While the District Head handed her over to security operatives for investigation, an agitated mob overpowered them and stoned her to death.
