A man was stoned to death Monday in northwest Nigeria after being accused of blasphemy, raising concerns about escalating threats to religious freedom in the region. Local authorities confirmed the incident with a statement on Sunday, saying:

On 25th June 2023 at about 0955hrs, a distress call was received at about 0920hrs that one Usman Bud, a butcher at Sokoto Abbatoir, allegedly blasphemed the holy prophet Muhammad (SAW). As a result, he was mobbed and attacked by some Muslims who inflicted serious injuries on him.

The police say they have opened an investigation into the incident. However, locals say that arrests in such cases are rare, asserting that many accused of blasphemy never make it to trial. The people have continued to highlight that the incident was yet another illustration of vigilante justice prevailing over due process. They call for the urgent need for a robust adherence to their protection of freedom of expression.

Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, swiftly condemned the extrajudicial killing. They called on Nigerian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice. Additionally, the organizations urge the government to reassess its application of blasphemy laws, ensuring they align with international human rights standards.

The incident has prompted calls for action to address the issue and ensure the protection of religious minorities and for a balance between the preservation of religious sensitivities and the rule of law.