The global human rights body, Amnesty International, on Saturday condemned the “horrific lynching” of a man at the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Lugbe along Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja over alleged blasphemy.
Amnesty asked the Nigerian authorities to “curtail the impunity that has led to an increase in mob violence across Nigeria.”
Sources confirmed that members of the Vigilance group guarding the popular Timber Shed market at FHA Lugbe Abuja had wanted to arrest some artisans wandering around the market on Saturday morning.
They were said to have begged the Vigilantes to free them in the name of Allah but one of the Vigilantes kicked and made comments said to be blasphemous.
Angry at the alleged blasphemy, the rest of the people later picked stones and planks and lynched him before setting him on fire.
According to the statement, “Amnesty International condemns the horrific lynching of a vigilante over alleged blasphemy today at Lugbe — a suburb of Abuja. Nigerian authorities must ensure those responsible for this crime are immediately arrested and prosecuted.
“The Nigerian authorities must curtail the impunity that has led to an increase in mob violence across Nigeria. Persons involved in such reprehensible acts should face the law in fair trials. A prompt, thorough, independent, impartial & effective investigation must be conducted.”