Deborah: A Northerner Killed by Northerners Over Alleged Blasphemy

The tragic killing of Deborah in Sokoto continues to resurface in national conversations, particularly in debates surrounding other violent incidents such as the Uromi massacre. However, the attempt to draw parallels between these two events is both misleading and concerning. As a society, we must strive to analyze and understand these incidents in their proper contexts rather than forcing ill-suited comparisons.

Deborah, a northerner, was murdered by her fellow northerners, most of whom spoke the Hausa language. She was not an outsider; she was surrounded by people she knew, classmates with whom she had laughed, shared moments, and built relationships. It was within this familiar environment that she expressed views that were deemed blasphemous, ultimately leading to her brutal killing. Rather than being reported to authorities, she was subjected to communal mob justice, an act that is both indefensible and unjustifiable. As Frederick Douglass once said, “Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob, and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe.” Her death represents a clear violation of religious freedom and the right to free expression.

On the other hand, the Uromi 16 were victims of Nigeria’s failed security system. Their fundamental rights—such as fair hearing, freedom of movement, and ultimately the right to life—were violated, but not due to their religious beliefs or expressions. These two cases represent vastly different circumstances. While Deborah’s murder was driven by religious intolerance and fanaticism, the Uromi incident highlights the growing insecurity in Nigeria and the state's failure to protect its citizens. As Cicero wisely stated, “The security of the people shall be the highest law.”

As experts in Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), it is our duty to dissect and differentiate between FoRB violations and other human rights issues. We must educate our communities on what constitutes a FoRB violation and how such issues should be addressed within the Nigerian context. Misinformation and misinterpretation of these cases only serve to deepen existing divides and hinder meaningful discourse. In the words of Nelson Mandela, “The greatest weapon against injustice is education.”

The knowledge gap in our society regarding religious freedom, interfaith relations, and tolerance must be bridged through continuous advocacy and education. Only then can we have objective discussions and develop sustainable solutions. Without this effort, we risk perpetuating cycles of misunderstanding and violence that further threaten our collective peace and coexistence. As Martin Luther King Jr. aptly warned, “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.”

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