The Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed the murder of a butcher, Usman Buda, who was killed on Sunday over alleged blasphemous comment against Prophet Muhammad.
While noting that investigation was ongoing to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to book, the police revealed that the mob escaped the scene and left the victim unconscious where he was rescued and taken to Usmanu Danfodiyo Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, for treatment. He was later confirmed dead.
Our correspondent gathered that the butcher made the allegedly blaphemous comment during an argument with another trader at the Sokoto main Abattoir, at about 8am on Sunday.
Sources revealed that some of Buda’s closest business partners in the market made attempts to rescue him but sustained injuries and have been admitted at the hospital, following attacks bythe mob.
Speaking about the case, the Sokoto State Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmad Rufa’i, said, “A distress call was received at about 09.20am that one Usman Buda of Gwandu Local Government Area, a butcher at Sokoto Abattoir, allegedly blasphemed the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and as a result, he was mobbed.
“Upon receiving the information, the Commissioner of Police, Area Commander Metro and DPO kwanni, led a team of policemen and all other operational commanders to the scene.
“On arrival, the mob escaped the scene and left the victim unconscious where he was rescued and taken to Usmanu Danfodiyo Teaching Hospital Sokoto for treatment and was later confirmed dead.
“Meanwhile, investigation is on to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to book.”
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