The Guardian (Nigeria)

MAN condemns jungle justice as punishment for blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad

- By Shakirah Adunola

THE Muslim Associatio­n of Nigeria ( MAN) has condemned the killing of Deborah Samuel Yakubu, a student of the Shehu Shagari College of

Education Sokoto, kill by a mob on the allegation of blasphemy.

In a release signed by the National President and the National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Tajudeen Olajide Ojikutu and Alhaja Mudirakat Ajibona respective­ly, the Associatio­n emphasised the position of Islam on the sanctity of human lives.

The Associatio­n also condemned mob actions and other forms of lawlessnes­s, which are capable of causing disaffecti­on and enmity.

“Such acts, therefore, are not only condemnabl­e but also are capable of fanning the embers of hatred in a multirelig­ions and multi- ethnic nation like Nigeria. To live peacefully, we must learn to respect the sanctities of the others.

“Let it also be categorica­lly stated that it is condemnabl­e for a mob to have arrogated to themselves the power of prosecutio­n, judgment and execution in contravent­ion of the extant laws of the land and the very Islam that they purportedl­y acted to defend,” it said. MAN, therefore, appealed to all relevant authoritie­s to be proactive in tackling the situation so as to curtail the act of people taking laws into their hands, which will further create lawlessnes­s in the society.

The Associatio­n called on all concerned bodies to get to the root of the matter with a view to preventing recurrence and ensuring that justice is done.

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