A Nigerian man was set ablaze in the capital Abuja by the supporters of a Muslim cleric over blasphemy charges. This is the second incident in two months after a Christian woman was burnt to death by a mob in May after she was accused of insulting the Prophet Mohammad.

In the Saturday incident, 30-year-old Ahmad Usman, a local vigilante member, was confronted by an angry mob, numbering about 200. They beat, stoned and then set Usman ablaze before police officials intervened.

According to reports, the matter escalated after Usman got into an argument with an unidentified Muslim cleric in the Lugbe area of Abuja.

"The heated argument degenerated into an outbreak of violence that led to the murder and setting ablaze of Ahmad Usman by the enraged mob mobilized by the clergy numbering about two hundred," Josephine Adeh, police spokesperson for Abuja, was quoted as saying by Reuters.

Though Nigeria is a secular nation, some states in the north where the Muslim community is in a majority observe Islamic sharia and have courts that punish those accused of deviating from its practices.

Since the incident, police and ambush teams have been patrolling the area and keeping a tight vigil over any unscrupulous activity. Adeh said normalcy has been restored. No arrests have been made.

Meanwhile, Abuja’s police commissioner on Sunday said the perpetrators will be sanctioned and warned against the use of so called “jungle justice” — taking the law into one’s own hands, reports VOA news.

However, many businesses in the area remained shut Saturday evening over fear that more violence could erupt.

Blasphemy is a sensitive topic in Africa's most populous nation with a delicate balance of Muslim and Christian populations.

Three weeks ago, a mob in northwest Sokoto state killed and burned the body of a Christian student of the Shehu Shagari College over alleged blasphemy.

The incident triggered protests by Christian groups and human rights organizations. Some of the groups called for the authorities to expunge blasphemy from punishable crimes under the Nigerian law, but for now, it remains on the books.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A Nigerian man was set ablaze in the capital Abuja by the supporters of a Muslim cleric over blasphemy charges. This is the second incident in two months after a Christian woman was burnt to death by a mob in May after she was accused of insulting the Prophet Mohammad.

A Nigerian man was set ablaze in the capital Abuja by the supporters of a Muslim cleric over blasphemy charges. This is the second incident in two months after a Christian woman was burnt to death by a mob in May after she was accused of insulting the Prophet Mohammad. In the Saturday incident, 30-year-old Ahmad Usman, a local vigilante member, was confronted by an angry mob, numbering about 200. They beat, stoned and then set Usman ablaze before police officials intervened. According to reports, the matter escalated after Usman got into an argument with an unidentified Muslim cleric in the Lugbe area of Abuja. "The heated argument degenerated into an outbreak of violence that led to the murder and setting ablaze of Ahmad Usman by the enraged mob mobilized by the clergy numbering about two hundred," Josephine Adeh, police spokesperson for Abuja, was quoted as saying by Reuters. Though Nigeria is a secular nation, some states in the north where the Muslim community is in a majority observe Islamic sharia and have courts that punish those accused of deviating from its practices. Since the incident, police and ambush teams have been patrolling the area and keeping a tight vigil over any unscrupulous activity. Adeh said normalcy has been restored. No arrests have been made. Meanwhile, Abuja’s police commissioner on Sunday said the perpetrators will be sanctioned and warned against the use of so called “jungle justice” — taking the law into one’s own hands, reports VOA news. However, many businesses in the area remained shut Saturday evening over fear that more violence could erupt. Blasphemy is a sensitive topic in Africa's most populous nation with a delicate balance of Muslim and Christian populations. Three weeks ago, a mob in northwest Sokoto state killed and burned the body of a Christian student of the Shehu Shagari College over alleged blasphemy. The incident triggered protests by Christian groups and human rights organizations. Some of the groups called for the authorities to expunge blasphemy from punishable crimes under the Nigerian law, but for now, it remains on the books. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Nigerian man burnt to death by supporters of Muslim cleric over blasphemy

President Ram Nath Kovind has rejected his first mercy petition of a death-row convict who had burned alive seven members of a family, including five children, over a case of buffalo theft.

The case pertains to gruesome killing of Vijendra Mahto and six of his family members by Jagat Rai in Raghopur block of Bihar's Vaishali district in 2006.

Mahto had lodged a case of theft of his buffalo in September 2005 in which Rai, Wazir Rai and Ajay Rai were named as accused.

The accused (now convicts) were pressuring Mahto to withdraw the case.

Rai had set on fire Mahto's house that resulted in the death of latter's wife and five children. Mahto, who had sustained serious burn injuries then, died after few months.

After being convicted of the crime and being awarded the death penalty by the local court, the high court and the Supreme Court in 2013 too gave their nod for the hanging. Rai's mercy plea was then sent to the president's secretariat.

The office of the president had sought the Home Ministry's views which gave its recommendation on July 12 last year.

The mercy petition (of Mahto) was rejected by the president on April 23, 2018, according to a Rashtrapati Bhavan communiqué.

This is the first mercy plea decided by Kovind after he became the president in July last year.

There is no other mercy petition pending with the president's secretariat.

Under Article 72 of the Constitution, The president shall have the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence where the sentence is a sentence of death.

The accused (now convicts) were pressuring Mahto to withdraw the case.

President Ram Nath Kovind has rejected his first mercy petition of a death-row convict who had burned alive seven members of a family, including five children, over a case of buffalo theft. The case pertains to gruesome killing of Vijendra Mahto and six of his family members by Jagat Rai in Raghopur block of Bihar's Vaishali district in 2006. Mahto had lodged a case of theft of his buffalo in September 2005 in which Rai, Wazir Rai and Ajay Rai were named as accused. The accused (now convicts) were pressuring Mahto to withdraw the case. Rai had set on fire Mahto's house that resulted in the death of latter's wife and five children. Mahto, who had sustained serious burn injuries then, died after few months. After being convicted of the crime and being awarded the death penalty by the local court, the high court and the Supreme Court in 2013 too gave their nod for the hanging. Rai's mercy plea was then sent to the president's secretariat. The office of the president had sought the Home Ministry's views which gave its recommendation on July 12 last year. The mercy petition (of Mahto) was rejected by the president on April 23, 2018, according to a Rashtrapati Bhavan communiqué. This is the first mercy plea decided by Kovind after he became the president in July last year. There is no other mercy petition pending with the president's secretariat. Under Article 72 of the Constitution, The president shall have the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence where the sentence is a sentence of death.

President rejects first mercy petition: Convict burnt alive 7 of a family

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Nigerian man burnt to death by supporters of Muslim cleric over blasphemy

President rejects first mercy petition: Convict burnt alive 7 of a family