MINISTER of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Muhammad Musa Bello has condemned the killing of 30-year-old Ahmad Usman by a mob in the Lugbe area of Abuja.
He noted in a statement that mob attacks and other forms of breakdown of law and order would not be tolerated within the territory.
“The Hon Minister of the FCT, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has condemned in the strongest possible terms the mob attack on Citizen Ahmad Usman which culminated in his death on Saturday 4th of June, 2022.
“The Minister reiterated that no one had the right to take the laws into their hands, no matter the circumstances or perceived level of provocation. The FCT Administration he said, will not tolerate any form of mob attacks on any residents of the Territory or the break down of law and order,” the statement said.
The minister called for the arrest of the culprits adding that such actions are against the principles upon which the FCT was founded.
The statement added, “The Federal Capital Territory, the minister reminded residents, was founded on the premises of national unity, peace and love for country and fellow countrymen. The action of the mob at Lugbe clearly negates all of these principles and will not be tolerated.”
Bello also assured residents of their safety and called for cooperation in securing their communities.
An angry mob in Lugbe killed a man for allegedly making blasphemous statements against Islam on Saturday.
A post on Twitter said the deceased was beaten before being burnt and an accompanying video showed a mob chanting “Allahu Akbar” around a raging fire.
A statement by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the FCT Police Command Josephine Adeh, however, said the deceased was killed after getting into a heated argument with an Islamic cleric.
Ijeoma Opara is a journalist with The ICIR. Reach her via [email protected] or @ije_le on Twitter.