A member of a vigilance group guarding a timber shed in Lugbe, along the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, has been killed for allegedly making a blasphemous statement against the prophet of Islam.
According to an insider, the member of the vigilance group guarding the market at the Federal Housing Estate in Abuja had effected an arrest of a particular trader who was fond of closing late in the market.
“On Friday, he was arrested for the offence and was kept in their office; but this afternoon (Saturday) when the man was pleading for forgiveness, he pleaded with the name of God and the prophet; but the arresting vigilanté said something to the effect that if the prophet was to come down, he would not set him free. That ignited the trouble that led to a mob beating, stoning, throwing tyres, and setting him ablaze. Unfortunately, the man was a Muslim like the trader,” a source said.
The security forces were called in and the timber shed has since been shut.