In 2016, Nigerians have seen many killed
because of their religious convictions. These deaths have been deeply
saddening as the bereaved have continued to cry out for justice.
As the year ends, Naij.com is compiling a list of some of the religious
killings that shook the country to its core, so that we might reflect on
them and prevent such happenings in the new year.
1. Bridget Agbahime
Late Mrs Bridget Agbahime
Bridget Agbahime was a 74 year old Igbo market woman, originally from Imo state, who sold kitchen utensils in Kano.
On
June 2, 2016, she was brutally attacked and killed at Kofar Wambai
Market in Kano by a Muslim mob who accused her of blasphemy.
According
to reports, she was pounced upon and murdered after she refused to
allow a Muslim man perform ablution in front of her shop.
As expected, there was outrage and promises to bring the perpetrators to
justice. The prime suspect in the murder, Dauda Ahmad was arrested, and
so were four others: Abdullahi Mustapha, Zubairu Abubakar, Abdullahi
Abubakar and Musa Abdullahi.
However, six weeks
ago they were all set free by the court and as at the time of this
report, no explanation has been given. No justice has been served.
2. Eunice Olawale Elisha
Mrs Eunice Elisha
Eunice Olawale Elisha was a 42-year-old mother of seven, who loved to preach. What she loved was one of the factors that led to her death on July 9, 2016.
The
Ekiti state born indigene has lived in the Kubwa area of Abuja, with
her family for many years before she lost her life in the early hours of
July 9.
She was well known as a Pentecostal preacher. Reports have it that she was stabbed to death by suspected Muslim extremists.
Shortly after the body was discovered, on a Saturday, the police said they had
arrested some suspects and had commenced investigation on the matter.
Yet up till now, about five months later, no suspects have been brought to justice.
3. Mr Methodus Chimaije Emmanuel
Chimaije Emmanuel
Mr Methodus' death was reported by the Nigerian army as follows:
"At
about 6pm yesterday, May 29, 2016, one Mr Methodus Chimaije Emmanuel, a
24-year-old trader based in Pandogari, Rafi LGA of Niger state was
attacked and killed by a mob in the town on allegation of posting a
blasphemous statement about Prophet Muhammad on the social media."
The alleged Facebook post is yet to be presented, but it was said that he insulted the Prophet Muhammad in the post.
The Nigerian army quelled the resulting riot, there have been no reports of the prosecution of his killers.
4. 8 Christians killed in September 2016
Women weeping following a killing
On Sunday, September 18, eight Christians were killed as they left church according to the Catholic Herald in the UK.
During the same time, Islamic extremists, suspected to be Boko Haram killed
more than 40 troops from a multi-national force in an attack on a convoy
in north-east Nigeria.
5. 40 Christians killed in Kaduna
41-year-old Pastor Akut of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) said this about the attack on Christians in Kaduna state:
“We fled into the bushes, and some of us escaped to safer areas,” he said.
“The attackers were in the hundreds and were well armed.
Some of them wore army uniforms, while others wore police uniforms. Some of
them exchanged gunfire with the few soldiers stationed at the post
office in the town, while others burned down houses of Christians.”
6. Zamfara 8
Religious riots
In August 2016, northern CAN has asked Christians to defend themselves
whenever they came under attack, following the killing of eight
Christians in Talata-Mafara in Zamfara state and a Pastor of the
Redeemed Christian Church of God, Luka Ubangari, by suspected Fulani
herdsmen in Unguwan Anjo in Kaduna state.
May we see less of such in 2017.
Source: Naij.com
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