A woman was burned alive by a mob in Niger State, northern Nigeria, after being accused of insulting the Prophet Muhammad, according to police reports.

The victim, identified in local media as a food vendor named Amaya, was attacked and killed before police could intervene.

Authorities condemned the act as 'jungle justice' and confirmed that an investigation is underway to arrest and prosecute those responsible.

Local media cited eyewitnesses who said that a man jokingly proposed marriage to the vendor, and her response was considered blasphemous by some bystanders.

'Unfortunately, this led to a mob attack, and she was set on fire before security reinforcements could arrive at the scene,' said state police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun.

He urged the public to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands following the killing, which occurred in the town of Kasuwan-Garba.

Such incidents are not uncommon in northern Nigeria, where blasphemy is considered a criminal offense under Sharia law, which operates alongside secular law in 12 predominantly Muslim states.

At least two other people have been killed on similar accusations in the past three years, with activists warning that not enough has been done to stop such mob killings, which have targeted both Muslims and Christians.

In 2022, student Deborah Samuel was beaten and burned alive in Sokoto State after being accused of making blasphemous remarks.

Last year, butcher Usman Buda was stoned to death in the same state under similar circumstances.