Nigerian Muslim leaders condemn murder of elderly Christian pastor's wife

Leading Muslims in Nigeria have joined in condemnation of the mob murder of pastor's wife Bridget Agbahime, who was aged 74 years old.

Jama'atu Nasril Islam, the umbrella group representing Nigeria's Muslim leadership, said in a statement: "It is hardly believable that such dastardly acts could happen in the name of religion." The organisation added that the act was "criminal and un-Islamic, perpetrated by miscreants and criminals."

The statement carries weight because the organisation's president is the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa'adu Abubakar, regarded as the supreme head of all Muslims in Nigeria. He personally appealed to all to remain calm and avoid actions that could breach law and order.

Agbahime was murdered last Thursday in the city of Wambai, Kano.

Nigerian President Mohammadu Buhari also described the murder as "utterly condemnable" and pledged that those responsible would face justice.

Buhari offered his condolences to the dead woman's husband, Pastor Mike Agbahime, and her family and relations. He prayed that God would grant them the strength to cope with their loss.

Christian and Islamic leaders met Pastor Mike and security services soon after the murder. Two suspects have been arrested.

President Buhari urged all those affected by the murder to remember that two wrongs never make a right.

He said: "The incident at Kofar Wambai market, Kano city, is utterly condemnable, and the state government has been quite proactive. Let us ensure that we keep the peace, as justice will be done. Let us learn to respect each other's faith, so that we can know each other and live together in peace."

Abahime, an ethnic Igbo market trader was "mobbed and extra-judicially murdered", police said in a statement.

Kano has seen previous attacks by Muslims against Christians. Vanguard reported that in 1996, there was a barbaric attack when an Igbo Christian trader, Gideon Akaluka, was beheaded by suspected Muslims youths who had accused him of desecrating the Koran. His head was then paraded around the city on a spike.