Buhari and police boss promise speedy trial of men who murdered Kano market trader

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari and the inspector general of police Solomon Arase have promised to expedite action and ensure the speedy delivery of justice in the prosecution of the hoodlums who murdered Kano trader Bridget Agbaheme for blaspheming Islam.

 

On Thursday, an irate mob descended on and killed Mrs Agbaheme in Kano after accusing her of blasphemy and insulting the Prophet Mohammed during an argument in the city's Kofar Wambai market.  According to eyewitnesses, the woman was lynched by an angry crowd at Yan Robobi in Kofar Wambai market.

 

Her death has caused a national outrage with civil society groups putting pressure on the government to bring the perpetuators to justice.  Under pressure to see to do something about the incessant rise of Islamic fanaticism across Nigeria, President Buhari has appealed for calm and promised to bring the perpetuators to justice.

 

He described the gruesome incident that led to the killing of Mrs Agbaheme as sad and regrettable and consoled with the husband of the deceased, Pastor Mike Agbaheme. President Buhari 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, the widower of the deceased and security agencies, immediately after the killing.

 

In addition, President Buhari promised 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 might want to use the development to fan the embers of religious or ethnic hatred to remember that two wrongs never make a right, adding that when law and order broke down, victims were never distinguished on the basis of religion or ethnicity.

 

“The incident at Kofar Wambai market, Kano city, is utterly condemnable and the state government has been quite proactive. Let us ensure that we keep the peace, as justice will be done and let us learn to respect each other’s faith, so that we can know each other and live together in peace,” President Buhari said.

 

Mr Arase has also called for calm while reassuring the family of the deceased and the public that justice shall be done in the case. He said the Kano State Police Command has succeeded in arresting two key suspects in connection with the unfortunate incident, who have been named as Dauda Ahmed and Subeiru Abubakar.