A woman identified as Ammaye, a food vendor, has been lynched by a mob in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State over allegations of blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad.
The incident reportedly took place on Thursday at Kasuwan Garba market within the council area.
According to African Independent Television, AIT, the confrontation began in Igwama community when Ammaye, who was also a Muslim and popularly known in the area as a food seller, exchanged words with her nephew.
The young man had jokingly told her he wished to marry her in order to “fulfil the Sunnah,” a remark which allegedly prompted her to respond in a manner considered blasphemous by some locals.
The matter was later reported to the District Head of Kasuwan Garba, who questioned her. Witnesses said she repeated her earlier remarks during the interrogation. Following this, the traditional ruler handed her over to security operatives for investigation.
However, a crowd of agitated youths besieged the palace and demanded her immediate execution. Despite efforts by security personnel to shield her, the mob overpowered them and stoned her to death.
Confirming the development, the Chairman of Mariga Local Government, Abbas Adamu, stated that normalcy has since been restored to the area.