A man named Abubakar Mani, also known as Sadi, and his family faced a dangerous situation in Sabon Garin Alhaji Yahuza village, Batagarawa local government area in Katsina State.
This occurred after accusations of blasphemy against the Islamic faith were leveled against Mani due to a Facebook post.
In a distressing turn of events, an angry mob targeted Mani’s house, setting it on fire along with his vehicle on a Tuesday night.
Responding to the incident, the Katsina State Police Command urged calm among the residents, emphasizing the importance of law-abiding behavior and discouraging taking matters into their own hands.
The Command’s spokesman, Sadiq Abubakar Aliyu, conveyed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Aliyu Abubakar Musa, engaged with the State’s Commissioner for Religious Affairs, traditional and religious leaders, and other stakeholders in the state to address the situation.
The statement highlighted the CP’s call for leaders to encourage their followers to embrace peace and become ambassadors for harmony in society.
Assurances were given that detectives were actively pursuing leads to identify and apprehend those responsible for the disturbing act.
The Command remained steadfast in its commitment to maintaining peace, law, and order while ensuring the safety of citizens in the state.
CP Aliyu Abubakar Musa underscored the deployment of additional resources to enhance security measures in the area.
This included an increased police presence, surveillance, and coordinated community engagement initiatives to prevent potential breaches of peace.
The statement provided details of the distress call received on January 30, 2024, regarding an ongoing protest over the alleged blasphemy.
The mob, angered by the Facebook post, set fire to Mani’s residence and vehicle, prompting swift police response to control the situation and prevent further damage.
The Command appealed to anyone with information related to the incident to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation.
The overarching message conveyed was the necessity for unity, peace, and cooperation among the community and law enforcement to ensure the well-being and security of all citizens in Katsina State.
