Usman Buda, a cow entrails seller in a grocery market in Sokoto, has been beaten to death for allegedly making blasphemous comments against Prophet Muhammad.
According to Daily Trust report, the butcher allegedly made the comment during an argument with another trader on Sunday morning.
An eyewitness told the newsmen that efforts by the market leaders to save him from the mob ended in futility.
“Our leaders made a fruitless attempt to save him, but they could not contain the crowd. They initially rescued him and hid him before they were overpowered.”
“He was beaten to death by his fellow butchers. His corpse was later taken away by the police,” he said.
Another account said his closest business partners also attempted to rescue him, but some of them sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the hospital.
A security operative who confirmed the incident on condition of anonymity, said the suspect was originally from Tambuwal local government area but was residing at Gidan Igwe in Sokoto North local government area.
However, Mr Buda’s neighbour, who identified himself as Malam Yusuf, said the killing could be as a result of envy by some of his colleagues.
“Usman is my immediate neighbour. He is very religious, in fact, he belonged to Izala sect. We prayed and attended Tafsir together at the primary board quarters. There is no way he could make such a statement against the Holy Prophet.”
“There must be a reason behind his murder. Because he is very popular in his business of selling cow entrails and was envied by many of his colleagues,” he said.
Follow us on social media
