A young barber, identified as Elijah Ode, has reportedly been arrested in Kano, for blasphemy.

According to a Benue activist, Smith Akoko, the young man, who is also a student, was arrested last Wednesday after two of his customers were caught with hairstyles deemed blasphemous to the Islamic religion.

His cousin, Sunday Ukenya, who confirmed the incident to Akoko, said that Elijah was arraigned in court on Tuesday, February 2, and later remanded.

Report says Elijah, who is well patronized by young people for possessing exceptional skills in trendy haircuts, attracted the wrath of authorities last week Wednesday when two of his customers were tortured to stupor for designs claimed to be blasphemous to the Islamic religion.

Thereupon, Elijah was traced to his barbershop, where he was arrested for complicity and has been in detention with the two customers since last week.

According to information obtained from his cousin, Mr Sunday Ukenya, the young barber did not design the hairstyles with the intention to provoke. He said he was only being innovative doing his work, as usual, to eke a living and pay his fees at his tertiary institution of study in Kano, where he sponsors himself.

Ukenya also added that the case is already in the court of law at the wish of the aggrieved Muslims with the first session being yesterday. He expressed sadness, however, that all efforts by the young barber’s lawyer to bail him proved abortive.

At the moment, the family has run out of hope, soliciting intercessory prayers as the reality of incarceration stares Elijah in the face. And indeed, jamesibechi.com can confirm that unless prayers are offered or reputable human rights activists from across the globe rise up for the defenceless self-sponsored young barber, the reality may be undesirable but inevitable.