Alleged Blasphemy: Outrage as Mob Kills Woman in Niger
- Some residents of Kasuwan-Garba town in Niger have lynched a woman over alleged disrespectful comments against Prophet Muhammad
- The woman, identified as Ammaye, a food vendor, was said to have made the alleged blasphemous remarks after a man jokingly expressed interest in her
- Human rights campaigners have said that the frequent cases of mob violence are fuelled by deep-rooted impunity
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering metro.
Minna, Niger state - A female food seller simply identified as Ammaye has been set ablaze at Kasuwan Garba in Mariga local government area (LGA) of Niger state.
As reported by the Africa Independent Television (AIT) on Saturday, August 30, Ammaye was killed by angry youths on Friday August 29, 2025, over alleged blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad.
Source: Facebook
Woman burnt alive in Niger
According to eyewitnesses, the face-off began at a nearby community of Igwama where the woman, who is also a Muslim and well known by residents as a food seller, reportedly exchanged words with a young man said to be her nephew.
It was gathered that the young man jokingly told her that he wanted to marry her to “fulfil the Sunnah". Sunnah means the traditions and practices of the Islamic prophet, Muhammad. The man's joke allegedly prompted the woman to make comments considered blasphemous, causing anger among the locals.
The matter was said to have been reported at the palace of the District Head of Kasuwan Garba, where the woman was interrogated and she reportedly repeated what she said earlier.
The development made the District Head to hand her over to security operatives for further investigation. However, a crowd of agitated youths insisted on her immediate execution.
Furthermore, it was gathered that despite attempts by security personnel to protect Ammaye, the mob overpowered them, stoned her to death and set her body ablaze.
Niger police confirm incident
Confirming the incident, Wasiu Abiodun, the spokesperson for the Niger state police command, divulged, per Daily Trust:
“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."
Source: Facebook
Legit.ng learnt that efforts are being made to ensure that arrests are effected, investigated and prosecuted.
Meanwhile, in its reaction, popular civil society organisation, Amnesty International, asked Nigerian authorities to "immediately and transparently investigate" Ammaye's alleged killing.
Amnesty International said in a statement posted on its official X account on Saturday, August 30:
"The incident which took place on Friday 29 August 2025, again demonstrates the utter failure of the authorities to effectively address frequent incidents of mob violence related to alleged blasphemy.
"The lynching of Ammaye following an exchange with a young man is deplorable, and authorities must ensure those responsible for her death are immediately arrested and brought to justice. That a mob overpowered security personnel and instantly lynched her shows utter disregard for the sanctity of life and due process.
"The Nigerian authorities must curtail the impunity that has led to an increase in mob violence and arrest all those involved in this reprehensible act and also ensure that they are held to account."
Nigerians condemn Niger incident
In the same vein, Nigerians are using X (formerly Twitter) to protest the killing, calling on the government to ensure that justice was served.
Legit.ng captured some comments below:
@tomi_waziri wrote:
"The annoying thing is that you will see some Muslims justify this, and they will eventually say Islam is a religion of peace. Even prophet Muhammad said that they should leave justice to God. And here they are going against their own prophet."
@Lefeministry said:
"Let's respect each other's religion and live in peace."
@deckdesmond commented:
"This is deeply tragic and utterly unacceptable. No allegation, especially of blasphemy, should ever justify jungle justice. Taking an innocent life in such a brutal manner is barbaric, lawless, and against every sense of humanity. This madness must stop."
@chinemelumma tweeted:
"When will things like this end in Nigeria?
"I think illiteracy and religious misorientation,is the cause of all this."
@EsonwunneL commented:
"The disturbing news of the killing of a woman(Ammaye)—a food seller in Niger state over alleged blasphemy is evil and barbaric. Ammaye was said to have "committed" blasphemy following her altercation with a man known to be her cousin; who made marriage advances on her in other to fulfil the sunnah. Ammaye's response was said to have provoked irate mobs who accused her and her response to the marriage proposal as blasphemy, and finally lynched and horrifically murdered her.
"The West is really tolerant to share this world with some people."
Blasphemy-related jungle justice
Legit.ng reports that cases of mob attacks against alleged blasphemy happen intermittently in Nigeria, as “many Shariah laws in northern Nigeria continue to criminalise blasphemy and result in harsh punishments for blasphemers,” according to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.
The north of Nigeria, West Africa’s most populous country, is majority Muslim while the south is predominantly Christian.
In April 2022, a Nigerian court sentenced an atheist to 24 years in prison for making social media posts considered blasphemous against Islam. Mubarak Bala, a former Muslim, was sentenced after pleading guilty following a lengthy trial during which he spent nearly two years in prison.
In 2020, a sharia court sentenced Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a 22-year-old Muslim gospel musician, to death for committing blasphemy in a series of private WhatsApp messages.
Jungle justice in Kano
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that residents of Kano state have lost faith in the local security apparatus, taking matters into their own hands by meting out instant justice to suspected criminals caught in the act, according to sources.
While some residents justify these actions, others, however, express deep concern over the trend and its implications for society.
Legit.ng gathered that the recent incidents in the state, and areas like Hotoro, Kofar Ruwa, and Gadar Lado, have seen mobs attack alleged thieves, motorcycle snatchers, and phone robbers before security forces can intervene.
Source: Legit.ng
