President Buhari condemns Zamfara ‘blasphemy’ killings

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the killing of at eight persons in Zamfara State on the allegation of “blasphemy”.

A mob, suspected to be students of Abdu Gusau Polytechnic, on Monday descended on a man they accused of blaspheming the Prophet of Islam. They later set those who tried to help him alight.

The attack occurred at Talata Mafara, a town in Zamfara.

Mr. Buhari described the attack as “barbaric and unacceptable”.

Writing on Twitter, the president said he “received news of the mob killings in Zamfara with great dismay”.

“I assure that the law will take its course. My prayers are with the families of the victims,” he said.

Mr. Buhari, who has been widely criticized for failing to speak out or condemn similar attacks in the past, said “Under my watch we will work to ensure that there is no place for violence in the name of religion, ethnicity, or in any guise whatsoever”.