The identity of a member of a vigilante group was killed in the Lugbe area of Abuja for allegedly insulting Prophet Muhammad, has been revealed to be Ahmad Usman, a Muslim.
InsightMedia had reported that the mob killing occurred at the Timber market section of Fruit Market in Federal Housing Estate, Lugbe of Abuja.
The mob action took place around 1pm on Saturday after seeking refuge in the vigilante office in the market. It was gathered the local security outfit was outnumbered before he was killed in front of the office, thereafter, burnt.
“The guy is known as Small Hundaru, that was not his first time of insulting the prophet before the action was taken,” said Halilu, a trader at the market.
“He was caught after buying food in the market in the afternoon, because when the blasphemy occurred it was just few people who were there, then a stick was used to hit him in the head. Though he had a gun with him, it was retrieved before the beating.
“Thereafter, he was stoned before he ran to the office. His colleagues at the office were aware but they couldn’t shield him due to the number of people that chased him. After he was unconscious, petrol was poured over him and not to stoke any fear in the market, he was burnt in front of the office.”
Confirming the incident the Police Public Relations Officer, FCT command, Josephine Adeh said normalcy has returned to the area are officers are stationed to prevent breakdown of laws and order.
She said, “Normalcy has since been restored to the area concerning the situation while monitoring, and surveillance of the area continues.
“Residents are, however, urged to go about their lawful duties without fear or apprehension of any kind from any quarters as discrete investigation continues to unravel facts surrounding the ugly incident and to effect the arrest of the perpetrators therein.
“We understand that one Ahmad Usman a 30 years old member of the local vigilante around Tipper garage at Federal Housing Estate in Lugbe Area of the Federal Capital Territory got into an argument with a Cleric (Mallam) whose name is yet unknown from the same area.
“The heated argument degenerated into an outbreak of violence that led to the murder and setting ablaze of Ahmad Usman by the enraged mob mobilised by the clergy numbering about 200.”
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The police also stated that its officers intervened and that they were able to stop the violence from escalating.
“Upon the receipt of this information, a quick intervention team comprising of The Surveillance and Ambush team of the Command attached to the Lugbe Divisional Police Headquarters was drafted to the scene where the enflamed victim was rescued suffering severe degrees of burn and taken immediately to the hospital where he was confirmed dead by a doctor on call.”
“Also, The Commissioner of Police, Babaji Sunday, condemned the indiscriminate resort to jungle justice. We’re outright against jungle justice. The law is against, and adequate sanctions will be meted on subscribers of this crude and dastardly act.”
