Just in: Mob kills Abuja vigilante member, body set ablaze for alleged blasphemy

An irate mob has killed a member of a vigilante group in the Lugbe area of Abuja and set his copse ablaze for alleged blasphemy.

The killing occurred at the Timber market section of Fruit Market in Federal Housing Estate, Lugbe.

The victim said to be a Muslim was accused of insulting Prophet Muhammad.

The mob action reportedly took place around 1pm on Saturday after the victim had sought refuge in the vigilante office in the market.

But the local security outfit was said to have been outnumbered and the man was killed in front of the office.

The victim, whose name was given as Small Hundaru, was said to be in the habit of insulting the prophet, according to a source quoted by daily Trust.

The source said, “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.”

The killing forced many traders to hurriedly lock their shops.

The police have moved in to restore peace and the market is said to be calm now even as three persons were reportedly shot by the policemen.