The Sokoto State Police Command has confirmed the murder of a butcher, Usman Buda, who was killed on Sunday by extremist Muslims over an alleged blasphemous comment against the Islamic Prophet, Muhammad bin Abdullah.

While noting that an investigation was ongoing to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to book, the police revealed that the mob escaped the scene and left the victim unconscious, where he was rescued and taken to Usmanu Danfodiyo Teaching Hospital in Sokoto for treatment, where he was later confirmed dead.

Our correspondent gathered that the butcher allegedly made the comment during an argument with another trader at the Sokoto main abattoir at about 8 a.m. on Sunday.

Sources revealed that some of Buda’s closest business partners in the market made attempts to rescue him but sustained injuries and have been admitted to the hospital, following attacks by the bloodthirsty extremists.

Reacting to the development, the Sokoto State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ahmad Rufa’i, said, “A distress call was received at about 09:20 am that one Usman Buda of Gwandu Local Government Area, a butcher at Sokoto Abattoir, allegedly blasphemed the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as a result he was mobbed and attacked.

“Upon receiving the information, the Commissioner of Police, Area Commander Metro and DPO Kwanni led a team of policemen and all other operational commanders to the scene.

“On arrival, the mob escaped the scene and left the victim unconscious, where he was rescued and taken to Usmanu Danfodiyo Teaching Hospital Sokoto, for treatment and was later confirmed dead. Meanwhile, Investigation is on to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to book.”

punch