Nigeria: Christians face mob violence, property destruction, and forced displacement due to blasphemy allegations
- Mahamunimodi Team
- Mar 3
- 2 min read
On February 21, 2025, International Christian Concern reported that Christians in northern Nigeria are increasingly facing violence due to accusations of blasphemy. These allegations often result in mob attacks, property destruction, and forced displacement.
Despite Nigeria’s constitution guaranteeing religious freedom, the implementation of Sharia law in 12 northern states has created a dual legal system. In these regions, blasphemy accusations frequently result in vigilante justice rather than formal legal action.
A notable example is the case of Sadiq Mani Abubakar, a 45-year-old Hausa Christian and lecturer at the Federal University Dutsin-Ma in Katsina state. On January 30, a mob set fire to his home and vehicles, forcing him and his family to flee. The violence was triggered by a 10-year-old Facebook post in which Abubakar questioned the origins of the Quran. While some Islamic scholars deemed the post blasphemous, the accusations spread, prompting violent mob action.
“I fled for my life, yet the federal government took swift action against me,” Abubakar shared with an ICC staff member, referring to the suspension of his salary after he escaped. “I feel completely abandoned by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). I can’t even seek legal assistance because I fear for my family’s safety back in Katsina.”
Similar incidents have occurred throughout northern Nigeria. In May 2022, a mob in Sokoto state killed and burned the body of Deborah Emmanuel, a Christian college student, over allegations of blasphemy in a WhatsApp group. In June 2023, a man in Bauchi state was beaten to death after being accused of insulting Islam. Law enforcement rarely takes action against those responsible for these killings.
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