A man has been killed in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital after he was set ablaze following an argument over alleged blasphemy.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the incident happened at the Lugbe Timber Shed, along Airport Road in Abuja.
"@_Newspremises: This afternoon angry mob beat, stoned a member of vigilante group to death and burn him to ashes for blasphemy against Allah at Federal Housing Lugbe in Abuja.
@Gidi_Traffic pic.twitter.com/XkDGD4MOI5
— GIDI (@Gidi_Traffic) June 4, 2022
Details shortly…
By Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua
The Co-Chairmen of Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC), His Eminence, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Dr. Samson Olasupo Adeniyi Ayokunle and His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, has said over and over again, that we cannot stop talking. They believe that things would go worse if there is no genuine and frank dialogue between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria. No matter the challenges, dialogue has no other alternative. This is the same answer I give to those who are asking if NIREC is working or making impart in promoting peaceful co-existence. We monitor and evaluate the media publications and happily enough, NIREC members have responded with one voice in the form of dialogue of theological exchange on doctrinal issues.
If dialogue of theological exchange guides the actions of believers, Nigeria will not be perceived as a religious war zone. Sincere dialogue with true exposition of the sacred texts can free religion from being used as an instrument of violence. One of the principles of inter-religious dialogue is to accept what unites us and bear in love with the faith of other religions that may contradicts our own. For instance, it is heresy or blasphemy for a Christian to say that Jesus is not the son of God. The Christian is not talking about biological progeny. It is not taken literally. That the Muslim do not accept this does not call for inter-religious conflict. There are many other areas of agreement between Christianity and Islam. Nostra Aetate identifies the following reasons why the Church must engage in dialogue of experts:
In Hinduism people explore the divine mystery and express it in myth and philosophy; they seek release from the trials of life by asceticism, meditation and recourse to God in confidence and love.
Buddhism proposes a way of life in which people can attain a state of perfect liberation and reach supreme illumination, either through their own efforts or with divine help.
Muslims worship the one, merciful and almighty God; they endeavour to submit themselves to God’s decrees, venerate Jesus as a prophet, revere the Blessed Virgin and await judgement and the rewards of heaven.
Jews are linked by spiritual bonds to the Church which springs from what God brings about in the patriarchs, Moses and the prophets; Israel is the olive tree on which Gentile branches have been grafted; Jews remain very dear to God because God does not take back his gifts and promises to them.
Respect is the hallmark and strong principle of dialogue. Every religion believes in showing respect to elders and legitimate authority. Lack of respect and desecration of Sacred persons and doctrines (beliefs) is abomination in Africa Primal Religions; blasphemy in Judaism, heresy in Christianity, blasphemy in Islam and Sacrilege in many other religions. It is blasphemy and a sacrilege to destroy sacred temples and houses of worship especially Mosque and Church buildings. This is a direct attack on God who dwells in sacred buildings. Most religions recommend that an offender should be reported to the legitimate authority to prescribe the corresponding punishment. Non recommends extra-judicial killing or jungle justice. The judgement of a sinner is the sole responsibility of God Almighty. Lack of proper teaching can lead miscreants to take laws into their hands. Sometimes, the actions of uniformed adherents can give a very bad impression and image of religion. It is believed that it is those whose actions contradicts the teachings of their religions that really insult their true Prophets. Jesus says: “By their fruits you will know them” (Matthew 27:20).
Some fake and false preachers present a distorted concept of God. History has recorded three categories of prophets: professional, false and true prophets. No wonder, Nigeria Vanguard newspaper reported on Tuesday, 26 June 2012 that “issuance of licenses to preachers will be considered, as that will help guide what the preachers tell their listeners”. This was rejected by those who think that government should not legislate on religion in the nation. Dialogue of theological exchange is also called dialogue of experts. Every field of life necessarily calls for proper training and formation. Religion should not be different. It is necessary for the religious preachers to be well formed in their own religions and the religion of others to prevent religious indoctrination and brainwashing. Adherents need authentic knowledge of their religions and not the whims and caprices of “self-ordained” Pastors and Mallams.
Some Christian and Muslim scholars have rejected extra-judicial killings. To de-radicalize those who have grown with wrong understanding and interpretation of the Holy Bible and the Holy Qur’an is the obligation of the Christian and Islamic Scholars who participate in dialogue of theological exchange. Unfortunately, some of these academic conferences do not reach the grass roots. Another challenge could be the uphill task of convincing somebody whose mind is already formed and made up on some theological and scriptural issues. A brain-washed person could even go out to attack the true leaders and true teachers of his or her religion. Since the tragic incident of Sokoto, this saga has played out in the media. According to the Second Vatican Council (Nostra aetate), Dialogue of theological exchange creates a space for specialists to deepen their understanding of their respective religious heritages, and to appreciate each other’s spiritual values.
According to Saint Pope John Paul II, dialogue of theological exchange is “the treasure of human wisdom and religion” (Fides et Ratio, 31) and “the spiritual riches with which God has endowed the peoples of the world” (Redemptoris Missio, 55). Dialogue is not however reduced to intellectual discourse. The document, “Dialogue and Proclamation” clearly sets out the various forms of dialogue which are interconnected. To make other forms of dialogue effective, those involved even at the grassroots needs some form of scriptural and spiritual formation to be aware of God and the value of the human person. Consequently, any teaching that calls for jungle destruction of life and property cannot come from God. No good parent enjoys the killing of children in the name of the father or mother of the family.
Other forms of dialogue require a thorough grasp of one’s faith hence experts or scholars who are engaged in dialogue of theological exchange need human qualities like humility, respect for others, a knowledge of the cultural and theological background of “the other”, knowledge of anthropology and the language to communicate without offending the listeners. Dialogue of theological exchange is not reduced to conferences. It includes media publications, books and articles in journals. It is also fruitful in formal and informal encounters like sharing a meal as personal friends irrespective of religious, ethnic and political differences. Above all, theological encounters become wonderful if the partners in dialogue can do without prejudices and mutual suspicions. Here, truth and mutual trust must be allowed to prevail. We need a wider horizon outside our individual religions to know that the other person who does not practise our religion is also a member of the household of God, the creator of all that exist.
Rev. Fr. Cornelius Afebu Omonokhua is the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) and the Secretary General of the West Africa Inter-Religious Council.
No fewer than 13 Muslims group operating under the auspices of Muslims United for peace and justice have demanded justice for Deborah Samuel a part two student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, who was beaten and stoned to death over alleged blasphemous statement on prophet Mohammed (SAW)
The Muslim groups urged the state amd Federal Government to promulgate laws to criminalize blasphemy and killing for blasphemy outside the law, and faithfully enforce them.
Addressing journalists in a press conference in Lagos, alongside other Muslim leaders, the Executive Director of Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Professor Lakin Akintola, appealed for justice against the killers, irrespective of the nature of their motivation or the justification they claimed.
According to him, the tragic event could be utilized as a turning point in Muslim-Christian relations and herald a new peaceful co-existence, adding that these were achievable ideals if each religious adherent would embrace and sincerely practice the sublime messages of their faith.
He urged Christians to employ all means to fend-off intolerance and called for deep introspection by leaders of the Christian community.
“We express strong solidarity with voices of reason and moderation amongst scholars of Islam and declare readiness to continue working together to strengthen the pillars of national peace, reconciliation and understanding.”
He enjoined leaders of various religious faiths to continue to enlighten and educate adherents on the need for mutual respect, to focus on messages of love and work against voices of hatred and extremism, amongst them.
There was pandemonium in Katangan area of Warji Local Government Area of Bauchi State on Saturday morning as irate youths reportedly burnt houses and injured a pastor over another case of alleged blasphemy.
Many houses were said to have been burnt in the riot, including a church situated in the area.
Findings show that trouble started when a message was allegedly circulated on social media that a Christian girl in the town allegedly engaged in blasphemy of Islam while commenting on the case of Deborah Samuel.
“What I learnt was that a Christian girl allegedly posted and commented on something on social media which has to do with the incident in Sokoto and that was how it started,” a source said.
Recall that Deborah Samuel a part two student of Shehu Shagari college of Education Sokoto , was beaten to death and her remains burnt over alleged blasphemy against prophet Mohammed (SAW)
Meanwhile, the details of the Bauchi incident are still sketchy as at the time of filing this report.
Details Later……
Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has lifted the curfew imposed due to the recent killing of a student of the State College of Education, over alleged blasphemy.
The lifting of the 24-hour curfew, imposed on the towy, is with immediate effect.
This was announced in a statement on Friday in Sokoto by the Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Isa Bajini-Galadanchi.
Tambuwal said the curfew was lifted after due consultations with security agencies confirming the return of peace to the state.
The governor, however, urged the general public to be law abiding and remain peaceful for sustainable security and economic development of the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tambuwal on May 14, imposed the curfew, to contain the rising protests across township streets over alleged religious blasphemy.
Bajini-Galadanchi, said the governor lifted the curfew with immediate effect and banned all forms of processions in the state until further notice.
“The resolution is in accordance with the enabling powers under section 176 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, section 1, 2 and 4 of the Public Order Act and section 15 of Sokoto State Peace Preservation Law.
“The governor of Sokoto State, has after due consultations, lifted the curfew imposed on Sokoto metropolis with immediate effect.
“The governor has urged the general public to be law abiding and remain peaceful at all times, stressing the need for peaceful co-existence amongst the people in the state,” he said.
The Commissioner reiterated the need for peace as the necessary foundation for any meaningful development.
He said Tambuwal thanked the people in the state for their understanding in complying with the curfew.
Garba Emmanuel, the father of Deborah, the 200-level student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, who was burnt to death for alleged blasphemy, has narrated what her death would cost the family.
Deborah’s father said he put everything into her schooling and could not afford to finance the education of her six siblings.
He told reporters: “Everything we have, we put it into the education of Deborah and today, she is dead.
“Because of Deborah’s schooling, we couldn’t send her siblings to school because we can’t afford it. If you have nothing, you can’t sponsor all your children to such schools.”
The late Deborah, who was killed for alleged blasphemy, was the second of seven children.
Emmanuel said they would leave everything in God’s hands.
“As believers, we have taken this as an act of God. We will not seek for vengeance or any action. A believer resigns his fate to God,” he said.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Emmanuel, who is based in Niger State, was able to retrieve his daughter’s remains for a funeral.
He said: “I went to the police in Sokoto and I pleaded with them that since the corpse had been burnt, they should help me with it so that it does not completely decompose, so I could bury it.
“I also pleaded with the Department of State Services (DSS) and they reasoned with me and agreed. I signed some documents and they gave her remains to me.
“I paid for the transportation from Sokoto to Rijau. I paid N120,000. It was hard getting anyone who will help us take the corpse down here.
“Most of the Hausa men were reluctant to help us but you know that no matter the circumstances, someone always needs money. That was how we got someone to bring her body down to Niger.”
He said the government was yet to contact the family.
Still living in shock over the killing of her daughter for alleged blasphemy, Deborah’s mother, Alheri, said “Deborah was a respectful and diligent young lady who hated injustices.”
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) gathered that Alheri was hospitalized following the incident,
Remi Hassan, coursemate of late Deborah Samuel, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto State, who was stoned to death and burnt on Thursday by her fellow students for allegedly making a blasphemous statement on a WhatsApp group, has given an account of how the incident happened.
The coursemate, on Sunday, via social media, gave the details of what transpired on the WhatsApp group that led to Deborah being stoned to death and burnt by her fellow students.
She said: “Deborah was my course mate. I just stepped into the class when the uproar on her voice note started
It was her own coursemates that started it. One of them said Deborah dared them by refusing to apologize whenever she was asked to.
“It all started with a debate on the upcoming examination on a general WhatsApp platform created for our coursemates. One of the students asked her how she passed the last semester’s examination and in response, she said it was ‘Jesus o’.
“Immediately, about three other chats came in from two Muslims and one Christian, telling her to retract the statement. Two students from other departments who overheard some Muslim boys discussing the matter told Deborah’s close friends to prevail on her to retract the statement. But she replied via a voice note on the platform ‘Holy Ghost fire. Nothing will happen to me.
“Is it by force that you guys will always be sending this religious stuff in this group? The group wasn’t created for that but rather as a notice on test, assignment, exam, etc, not this nonsense religious posts’.
“We were made to understand that some young men were brought from outside before the outrage. I was in class when some of our coursemates rushed in, saying ‘there is fire on the mountain o’.
“The Muslim students led the strangers to the class to look for her. In fear, those in the class tried to help her escape and took her to the security post from where they hoped to create a way for her to run outside Already, a cab was waiting outside to drive her straight to the police station.
“Unfortunately, the mob overpowered everyone who tried to save her. They even threatened to kill anyone who attempted to stand in their way.
Deborah’s last word as she pleaded for mercy:
“She was dragged out, flogged, and stoned. The last word in her mouth was ‘what do you hope to achieve with this?’ By then some of our coursemates were making calls to some of our lecturers to save the situation. At a point, all the Christian students fled the school premises.
It was when I got home that I heard she was set ablaze. Since the incident, I have been having a flash of her pleading expression. She pleaded for mercy and called out for help but it was far from her. What a cruel way to die.” She said.”
The remains of Deborah were laid to rest in her hometown, Tungan Magajiya in Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State on Saturday amidst controversy.
This is even as the Sokoto State Government allegedly insisted that the body be kept in the mortuary until it concludes its arrangement on the matter.
The deceased, it was gathered, had been living with family members in Sokoto since she was in primary school before her death.
…as Kukah hails govt and security operatives
…all Catholic Church masses suspended until curfew is lifted
The Directorate of Social Communications of the Sokoto Catholic Diocese has confirmed that a few churches in the troubled state were attacked by Muslim youths on rampage.
TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) recalls that on Saturday, Muslim youths clamouring for the release of two suspects arrested in connection with the murder of Deborah Yakubu last Saturday went on rampage in Sokoto destroying properties belonging to Christians.
TNG reports that the Catholic Diocese in Sokoto via a statement issued and signed by the Director of Social Communications, Rev Christopher Omotosho gave updates on development in the state.
Omotosho in the statement explained that:”During the protest, groups of youths led by some adults in the background
attacked the Holy Family Catholic Cathedral at Bello Way, destroying church glass windows, those of the Bishop Lawton Secretariat and vandalized a community bus parked within the premises. St. Kevin’s Catholic Church Gidan Dere, Eastern By-pass, was also attacked and partly burnt; windows of the new hospital complex under construction, in the same premises were
shattered.
“They were promptly dispersed by a team of Mobile Policemen before they could do further damage.
“The hoodlums also attacked the Bakhita Centre located along Aliyu Jodi Road
and burnt down a bus within the premises.
“In a reaction, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Most Reverend Matthew
Hassan Kukah commended the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu
Tambuwal for acting promptly by declaring the 24-hour curfew to stem the
protests.
“He also commended the security forces for promptly rising to the occasion to
prevent further damage at our facilities.
In all, no life was lost.
“Contrary to information in circulation, we wish to disclaim that there was an
attack of any sort on the residence of Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah.
“The Bishop appeals to Christians to remain law abiding and pray for the return of normalcy.
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, on Friday, said that every tweet on his official social media handles must get his approval before publication.
Atiku, one of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirants, said this when he paid a consultative visit to Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo at the Government House, Benin.
Atiku had earlier reacted to the killing of Miss Deborah Samuel who was accused of blasphemy.
The post was soon taken down, generating a lot of social media backlash.
According to Atiku, “Every tweet has to get my expressed approval but this one didn’t so I asked them to take it down.
“I took a stand about Sharia law and was abused, thrown stones at, but how long did it last? Despite that I didn’t change my position on that. I am not afraid to take a stand on critical issues,“ he said.
According to the presidential aspirant, investment in education is key.
“If you can recall what the PDP government did then while in power, we created the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND).
“We also set up the Primary School Education Fund and Education Tax Fund to enable us (PDP Federal Government) provide sufficient money to both state and local governments to enable them to have sufficient money to invest in primary and secondary education.
“We also passed the law to make education compulsory for every Nigerian child, from primary to secondary schools”, he said.
Responding to the issue of zoning for the PDP presidential ticket, Atiku said that zoning was not jettisoned by the party.
On the issue of getting a running mate, he said that he would sit down with the party to agree on a running mate for the 2023 presidential election.
NAN