In a tense but decisive operation, security operatives in Kano on Monday successfully rescued a man from an enraged mob that had gathered to attack him over alleged blasphemous remarks made inside a hotel in the Badawa area of the metropolis.
Eyewitnesses reported that the incident escalated rapidly after the suspect’s words — deemed deeply offensive to religious sensibilities — triggered outrage among residents. Within minutes, a large crowd had converged on the hotel premises, intent on taking matters into their own hands.
Quick intervention by police operatives prevented a potential lynching. The officers swiftly evacuated the suspect from the building under heavy security and whisked him to a safe location to avert further violence.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kano State Command, DSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said: “Yes, it is true. The suspect is in police custody and investigation is ongoing.”
Kiyawa declined to release the suspect’s identity or provide specifics about the alleged remarks, but assured the public that a thorough probe was underway. He appealed for calm, urging residents to allow the police to handle the matter professionally and avoid taking the law into their own hands.
The incident comes amid recurring flashpoints over blasphemy allegations in parts of northern Nigeria, where such cases have historically led to mob violence and vigilante justice when security response is perceived as slow. Monday’s swift action by the Kano police is likely to be viewed as a critical test of the Command’s ability to maintain order and uphold due process in a highly charged atmosphere.
The suspect remains in protective custody as investigations continue. Authorities have yet to indicate whether formal charges have been filed.
