On 12 May 2022, Deborah Samuel, a second-year Christian student at Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, was brutally stoned and burnt to death by a mob of fellow students after being accused of blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad. The attack followed a voice note she sent to her class WhatsApp group.
Despite widespread outrage, justice has remained elusive:
- A video surfaced showing one of her attackers confessing on tape that he set her on fire.
- To date, he has not been arrested and continues to walk free.
- Human rights groups and civil society organizations have repeatedly called for accountability, but progress has stalled.
Deborah’s killing remains a stark reminder of the dangers of mob justice, religious intolerance, and weak enforcement of the rule of law in Nigeria. Her case continues to symbolize the urgent need for reforms that protect freedom of belief, safeguard women, and ensure perpetrators of violence face justice.
