A female food seller identified as Ammaye was on Saturday lynched and stoned to death in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State over alleged blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad.
The incident occurred at Kasuwan Garba market after a quarrel between the woman and her nephew. Witnesses said the nephew had jokingly told her he wanted to marry her “to fulfil the Sunnah,” a comment that led to her response being interpreted as blasphemous.
The woman was taken before the District Head of Kasuwan Garba for questioning. After she did not withdraw her statement, the District Head handed her over to security agents for further investigation.
However, youths who had gathered at the palace insisted she must be punished. Despite efforts by security personnel to protect her, the crowd overpowered them, dragged her out, and stoned her to death.
Chairman of Mariga Local Government, Abbas Adamu, confirmed the killing, adding that calm has since been restored to the area.