2/21/2025 Nigeria (International Christian Concern) — Christians in northern Nigeria continue to face increasing violence over accusations of blasphemy, often leading to mob attacks, destruction of property, and forced displacement.
While Nigeria’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion, the application of Sharia law in 12 northern states has created a parallel legal system where blasphemy charges frequently lead to vigilante justice rather than formal prosecution.
The case of Sadiq Mani Abubakar, a 45-year-old Hausa Christian and lecturer at the Federal University Dutsin-Ma in Katsina state, illustrates the growing trend. On Jan. 30, a mob set his home and vehicles on fire, forcing him and his family to flee. The attack stemmed from a decade-old Facebook post in which Abubakar questioned the origins of the Quran. While some Islamic scholars consider the post blasphemous, accusations spread, and a mob responded with violence.
“I fled for my life, yet the federal government acted swiftly against me,” Abubakar told an International Christian Concern (ICC) staffer, referring to the suspension of his salary following his escape. “I feel utterly abandoned by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). I can’t even seek legal help because I fear for my family’s safety back in Katsina.”
Similar incidents have occurred across 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 has rarely prosecuted those responsible for these killings.
A 2020 report by the United Nations Commission on International Religious Freedom documented an increase in blasphemy-related violence in Nigeria, particularly in states governed by Sharia law. The report noted that such accusations often target religious minorities and that perpetrators of mob violence frequently evade prosecution.
Abubakar expressed frustration over the lack of accountability. “The authorities, the commissioner of police, who is supposed to bring to book the perpetrators, didn’t arrest anybody,” he said. “So, every Muslim is an authority. They take the law into their own hands and go scot-free.”
Christian communities in northern Nigeria have long raised concerns about inadequate protection from security forces. Human rights organizations, including Open Doors and Human Rights Watch, have reported that police often hesitate to intervene in mob violence cases, either due to fear of backlash or lack of political will.
Victims of blasphemy accusations often suffer economic consequences. Many lose their homes and livelihoods after fleeing violence. Abubakar, unable to return to Katsina, is struggling financially after he lost his income. Other displaced Christians face similar hardships, relying on support from religious organizations and humanitarian groups.
Nigeria’s dual legal system, which operates both secular and Sharia law, complicates efforts to address religious violence. While the constitution protects freedom of speech and religion, blasphemy laws under Sharia often conflict with these rights.
The Nigerian Supreme Court has not ruled decisively on the matter, leaving room for varying interpretations at the state level.
In some cases, individuals accused of blasphemy have faced formal prosecution. In August 2020, Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, a musician from Kano state, was sentenced to death for allegedly insulting the Prophet Muhammad in a song. He said, “I prefer my prophet to Prophet Mohammed.” His conviction was later overturned on appeal, but he remains in legal limbo. In contrast, those who carry out mob attacks based on similar accusations often face no legal consequences.
Abubakar called for international awareness and intervention. “I want the Nigerian government, human rights organizations, and the international community to be aware of what has happened to me and is still happening,” he said. “They can put a stop to it and impose the rule of law and order and the restoration of fundamental human rights.”
The pattern of blasphemy-related violence continues. Also, in January 2025, three people were killed in Bauchi state following an accusation against a Christian trader. With limited legal protections and growing religious tensions, many Christians in northern Nigeria remain at risk. Abubakar is one of them, hiding to protect his life, not to be killed like others.
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