In northwestern Nigeria, an angry mob killed a man after accusing him of blasphemy on June 25th, triggering outrage from human rights groups who raised concerns about the growing threat against religious freedom in the region.

Nigeria: Man stoned to death over blasphemyhttps://t.co/TxMKCQC7V1

— The New Times (Rwanda) (@NewTimesRwanda) June 27, 2023

Ahmad Rufa’i, a police spokesperson, released a statement on the night of June 25th, stating that a butcher named Usman Buda was stoned to death in the Gwandu district of Sokoto state because he “allegedly blasphemed the Holy Prophet, Muhammad” while arguing with a fellow trader in the marketplace.

He added that a police team was deployed in the area, but when they arrived, “the mob escaped the scene and left the victim unconscious.” Rufa’i added that Buda was declared dead at the Usmanu Danfodiyo Teaching Hospital in Sokoto.

This is the effect of religion, human being fighting for their so called God foolish people why can't that their stupid God fight for himself. Mad people everywhere.

— OBINNA OKAFOR (@OBINNAO32639767) June 26, 2023

Videos appearing to be from the scene where Buda was killed were shared on social media by the residents, which showed a large crowd, including some children that threw stones and cursed at him.

Even the kids are filled with hatred. Shame

— (@0__Shunya__0) June 26, 2023

Many activists and religious groups said Buda’s murder was the latest attack against religious freedom in northern Nigeria, a region predominantly populated by Muslims. Blasphemy carries the death penalty under Islamic law in the region.

The state’s governor, Ahmed Aliyu, said that residents should not take the law into their own hands. However, he added that his government would “deal decisively” against anyone guilty of blasphemy.

“Sokoto people have so much respect and regard for Prophet Muhammad ... hence the need for all the residents to respect (and) protect his dignity and personality,” his spokesman, Abubakar Bawa, said.

The governor of the state sees nothing wrong when u kill a blasphemer. He said anyones that blasphemy will be killed. Which way Nigeria?

— Ekene Ezekulie (@rodneyo007) June 27, 2023

Sokoto police have opened investigations into the most recent incident, although arrests are rarely made in such cases. Many people accused of blasphemy also never make it to court for trial, such as the case of a female student in Sokoto that was beaten and burned to death in 2022 for alleged blasphemy.

The Nigerian office of the international human rights group Amnesty International said that blasphemy-related extrajudicial killings would be encouraged after the government failed to act on the incident and ensure justice for the victim.

WTF !! It’s a open Murder !

— Rational Dhruv (@RationalDhruv) June 27, 2023

“The government is not taking the matter seriously, and that has to change,” Isa Sanusi, acting director of Amnesty International Nigeria, said.

“Even where arrests were made, there were serious allegations that those arrested were either later released or the whole case is jeopardized. This is very dangerous, and it shows the Nigerian authorities are deliberately not willing to do the right thing to fix this dangerous situation,” Sanusi also added.