Muslim man targeted after rescuing a Christian student accused of blasphemy who was being beaten by Islamic mob

At least eight people died in Nigeria following an incident where a Muslim passerby intervened and rescued a badly beaten Christian student accused by a Muslim mob of blasphemy.

An enraged Muslim mob in the community of Zamfara state retaliated Monday by burning down the house of a fellow Muslim identified only by the name of Tajudeen, fatefully not among the eight inside the house at that time.

"The man who rescued the student and his wife were not among the dead," Zamfara state police spokesman Shehu Mohammed told Agence France-Presse (AFP), as reported by the Independent.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that an eyewitness said Tajudeen intervened when he saw a Christian student of Abdu Gusau Polytechnic in Talata-Mafara beaten in public by a large group of the victim's Muslim classmates. Tajudeen earned the ire of the Muslims when he stepped in and drove the badly beaten Christian student, who allegedly blasphemed Prophet Muhammad, to the hospital.

According to Naij.com, local sources said the unnamed Christian student uttered the blasphemous statement during a feud with his Muslim friend.

The Polytechnic University closed down shortly after the attack while the police imposed a nightly curfew in the community.

Zamfara state Gov. Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari called for a Security Council meeting in the light of the religious crisis. He joined Tuesday hundreds of mourners and vowed to capture the suspects.

"No stone will be left unturned until all those behind this act are brought to book," said Yari.

According to Nigerian Newspapers Today, outraged Nigerians demanding for justice blamed Yari for issuing the blasphemy law last month.

"The governor instigated what happened yesterday in Zamfara.. You all can't tell me nothing," tweeted one.

Another wrote, "Don't be surprised that 8 humans were killed for blasphemy yesterday in Zamfara,the state governor sanctioned it."

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari also took to Twitter to express solidarity with the victims and deliver justice.

"I received news of the mob killings in Zamfara with great dismay. It is barbaric & unacceptable. I assure that the law will take its course," wrote Buhari.