Katsina City, the capital of Katsina State, witnessed a fervent protest following an alleged blasphemous social media post by a Christian resident, Mani Habu, against a revered Islamic prophet.
The incident occurred on Tuesday when an enraged crowd set fire to Habu’s residence and car in the Babbarruga Area.
In the controversial Facebook post, written in the local Hausa language and now deleted, Habu challenged the foundations of Islam, questioning the origins of the Qur’an.
He purportedly claimed that Prophet Muhammad did not write the Qur’an and accused specific companions of its creation.
An eyewitness, who chose to remain anonymous, shared details of the incident, stating, “The situation escalated when an angry mob set fire to Habu’s car and house located at the Babbarruga Area.”
Despite the chaos, Habu and his family managed to escape unharmed to an undisclosed location.
The Katsina State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesman, ASP Abubakar Sadiq.
The statement revealed that the Batagarawa Divisional Police Headquarters received a distress call on January 30, 2024, at about 2015hrs, regarding an ongoing protest at Sabon Garin Alhaji Yahuza Village over the alleged blasphemy.
Swiftly responding, the police mobilized officers to the scene, successfully diffusing the tension and mitigating the risk of further damage.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Aliyu Abubakar Musa, convened a meeting with the state commissioner for religious affairs, traditional leaders, religious leaders, and other stakeholders. He urged them to promote peace and called on the public to avoid taking the law into their own hands.
Musa assured the community that the police are actively pursuing leads to identify and apprehend those responsible for the act.
The statement emphasized the commitment of the command to maintaining peace, law, and order in Katsina State.
Increased security measures, including heightened police presence, surveillance, and community engagement initiatives, have been implemented to prevent potential breaches of peace.
The police appealed to anyone with information related to the incident to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation, emphasizing the importance of collective efforts in preserving harmony and safety in the state.
