HELP, Ammaye and Blasphemy Killing in Niger State -By Leo Igwe

The Humanist Enabling Life Project (HELP) has worked with the office of the National Human Rights Commission to support the son of a woman, Ammaye. Ammaye was accused and subsequently killed for blasphemy in Niger state in August. In his report, the state coordinator, Nuhu Mohammed, provides a background to the tragic incident: “Ammaye, a female food vendor, was brutally lynched and set ablaze by a mob in Kasuwan-Garba town, Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria. The incident occurred on August 29, 2025, after Ammaye allegedly made blasphemous remarks against Prophet Muhammad during a conversation with a customer”.

He explained how events unfolded and eventually led to the brutal murder of Ammaye: “The altercation began when a young man jokingly expressed interest in marrying Ammaye, citing the tradition of the Prophet (Sunnah). Ammaye’s response allegedly provoked the mob, which accused her of blasphemy. Despite attempts by security personnel to protect her, the mob overpowered them, stoned Ammaye to death, and set her body ablaze”.

According to his report, the police have made no progress on the case despite stating that they would bring the suspected killers to justice: “The Niger State Police Command confirmed the incident at the time and assured that efforts are being made to identify, arrest, and prosecute those involved. Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun stated that the police are “on top of the situation” and would bring the perpetrators to justice. Up till the time of filling this report, no arrest has been made and normalcy has returned to the community”. Similarly the NHRC office has been unable to effectively intervene. He further stated: “The office (the NHRC) has been in touch with the Police Public Relation Officer, SP Abiodun, and also with Abdullahi, the only surviving son of the deceased. Abdullahi, the son, confirmed what was reported as to the state of origin of the late mother, Katsina, her age 65years, and that she has lived in the area for over forty years and is a widow. According to him (Abdullahi), he has left everything for Allah to judge, and that further details be gotten from the Police. We have contacted the Police Public Relations Officer (SP Abiodun Wasiu). No arrest has been made”.

While it is disappointing that the police and the NHRC have not done the needful in addressing the matter, and bring the culprits to justice, HELP worked with the NHRC office in Minna to provide some assistance and show some support for the victim’s family. As Mohammed stated in his report: “On Monday, October 13, I took off from Minna for a visit to Kasuwa Garba based on the arrangement with Humanist Enabling Life Project (HELP) after the provision of One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira Only (N120,000)”. This amount covered the travel costs and some financial support for the son. As the report noted: “Abdullahi expressed his appreciation to HELP Initiative for the kind gesture and National Human Rights Commission for facilitating the process and the trouble to come and commiserate with him in person. He further reiterated that he has decided to leave everything in the hands of Allah and carry on with his life in the interest of peace”.

Victims of blasphemy allegations and killings need help. They deserve the love, care, and support that mechanisms and initiatives enabled by humanist principles and values can provide. As the murder of Ammaye has clearly illustrated, religious beliefs and doctrines motivate people to kill or be cruel to one another. They make people sanction, sanctify, and perpetrate horrific abuses with impunity. The brutal murder of Ammaye and others accused of blasphemy in Nigeria illustrates a moral failure of Islam as practiced in Nigeria. It demonstrates the incompatibility of Islamic teachings with life, hope, and happiness in the here and now.
Drawing from the well of humanism, HELP tries address these failures. HELP does something in situations where victims resign to their tragic experiences or the society ignores or does nothing.

Leo Igwe directs HELP