The Nigerian Police have reacted to the killing of one Usman Buda, a butcher, who was killed over alleged blasphemy in Sokoto state.

The butcher was allegedly stoned to death by an angry mob over what was considered to be an insult to Prophet Muhammad.

The incident occurred at the Sokoto abattoir on Sunday.

Confirming the event, the Sokoto state police spokesperson, Ahmad Rufai, said the command promptly dispatched officers to the area after receiving a distress call.

When police officers arrived at the scene of the attack, the mob had already fled, according to Rufai.

He stated that the attacked butcher, who was found unresponsive, was brought to the Usmanu Danfodio Teaching Hospital Sokoto (UDUTH) for treatment where he was later confirmed dead.

“On 25th June 2023 at about 0955hrs, a distress call was received at about 0920hrs that one Usman Buda ‘M’ of Gwandu LGA a butcher at Sokoto Abbatoir allegedly blasphemed the holy prophet Muhammad (SAW),” the statement reads.

“As a result, he was mobbed and attacked by some Muslim faithful who inflicted serious injuries on him.

“Upon receiving the information, the commissioner of police, area commander metro and dpo Kwanni led a team of policemen and all other operational commanders to the scene.

“On arrival, the mob escaped the scene and left the victim unconscious; where he was rescued and taken to Usmanu Danfodio Teaching Hospital Sokoto (UDUTH) for treatment and was later confirmed dead at the said Hospitals.”

The police said calm has been restored in the area while a probe into the ugly incident has commenced immediately.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International has condemned the killing of a butcher, Usman Buda, on Sunday in Sokoto State for alleged blasphemy.

In a statement by its acting director, Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International said the killing of the butcher must be adequately investigated.

The alarming uptick in blasphemy killings and accusations underscores the urgency with which the authorities must wake up to Nigeria’s international legal obligations to respect and protect human rights, including freedom of religion, opinion and expression.

“Nigerian authorities need no more evidence to see how dangerous accusations of blasphemy are — leading to unlawful killings and even whole communities being attacked and their homes burnt.

“By failing again and again to ensure that those suspected of responsibility of killing(s) over alleged blasphemy are brought to justice, the Nigerian authorities continue to create a permissive environment for brutality,” he said