The Imam of Abuja national mosque, Ibrahim Maqari, has justified the stoning and roasting of Deborah Samuel, a female student of Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto State, by Islamic fanatics.

Ms Deborah was killed on Thursday at the school premises after she allegedly blasphemed Prophet Mohammad reverenced by Muslims.

Trouble began after the 200 level Home-Economics student lamented bitterly at the influx of religious contents in her department’s WhatsApp group meant for academic purposes. She also rebuked attacks from other of her colleagues who attacked her for the alleged disparaging remarks.

The school authorities reportedly summoned and detained her at the security axis of the institution before irate fundamentalist arrived, dragged her out, stoned and set her remains ablaze.

Justifying the inhumane treatment meted out to the deceased, Mr Maqari, in a statement Friday morning, said her attackers should not be blamed because the deceased crossed Islamic redline.

“It should be known to everyone that we the Muslims have some red lines beyond which MUST NOT be crossed,” the cleric said. “The dignity of the Prophet (PBUH) is at the forefront of the red lines. If our grievances are not properly addressed, then we should not be criticized for addressing them ourselves.”