How Igbo Woman was Killed in Kano for Alleged Blasphemy

Outrage, yesterday, greeted alleged lynching of the wife of a pastor in Kano by a mob made up of Muslims over alleged blasphemy. The woman, Bridget Agbahime, described as Igbo from Imo State, was said to have disallowed some Muslims from performing ablution in front of her shop in Kofar Wambai area of  Kano metropolis, following which she was accused of blasphemy and the mob gathered to lynch  her. The killing was said to have happened in the presence of the woman’s husband, Pastor Mike Agbahime, on Thursday.

It was also gathered that the woman, who sold plastic wares, was in the company of her husband when she was brutally murdered.
The incident was said to have occurred when the market was preparing to close for the day’s business.
The victim was accused of blasphemy against Prophet Mohammed during a religious argument, which ensued within the market.

According to thisday, some youths armed with dangerous weapons, attacked and slit the woman’s throat to the chagrin of other traders in the market.

It was also learnt that the remains of the woman had been deposited at the morgue, while investigation is in progress.

The spokesman of the state police command, Musa Magaji Majia, confirmed the incident.

“In order to ensure a diligent and professional investigation, the Inspector General of Police has directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in- charge of the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID) to deploy the Homicide Section of the Department to immediately take over the investigation of the case and ensure a meticulous investigation and speedy prosecution of the arrested suspects.

“The IGP has also directed the Commissioner of Police of Kano State to sustain the community engagement actions which he is currently initiating with all strategic security stakeholders and community leaders in the State with a view to dousing the tension being generated by the condemnable incident”.

Also, in a statement by presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, Buhari “condoles with the husband of the deceased, Pastor Mike Agbahime, the family and relations, praying that God would give them the fortitude to bear the loss.”

The president also “commended the law enforcement agents for apprehending the prime suspect behind the killing, as well as the Kano State government, which summoned a meeting of Christian and Islamic leaders, widower of the deceased, and security agencies, as soon as the sad event occurred.”

The President assured that justice would be done in the matter, and urged the people not to take the law into their hands. He equally charged those who may want to use the development to fan the embers of religious or ethnic hatred to remember that two wrongs never make a right, and that when law and order breaks down, those who become victims were never distinguished on the basis of religion or ethnicity.