A Catholic priest, Father Kelvin Ugwu, has reacted angrily after an Islamic cleric allegedly placed a ₦2 million bounty on a pastor accused of insulting Prophet Mohammed.

Threat that sparked outrage

The controversy followed viral videos in which the Imam was heard initially offering ₦1 million to anyone willing to behead the pastor, before later increasing the amount to ₦2 million.

“I swear to God, I promise ₦1 million to whoever beheads this man. If the money is too small, go ahead, I will increase it,” the cleric said in the video.

He reportedly doubled the bounty afterward and was said to have boasted about remaining free despite the threat.

Priest reacts

Reacting, Father Kelvin Ugwu condemned the development and questioned why such threats could be made publicly without immediate consequences.

He linked the situation to the 2022 killing of Deborah Samuel, a student who was lynched by her classmates in Sokoto over alleged blasphemy.

“It was Muslim students that killed Ms Deborah… they stoned her to death and burnt her body,” he said.

Reference to Deborah case

The priest recalled that suspects arrested in connection with Deborah’s killing were defended by dozens of lawyers in court, raising concerns about accountability.

“At least 34 lawyers appeared in court to defend the suspects… the case has been forgotten and those arrested are walking free,” he added.

Rising concerns

He further criticised what he described as a pattern where threats linked to blasphemy go unchecked, pointing to the Imam’s alleged comments and continued freedom.

“And now an Imam publicly places a bounty on a pastor and is still walking free… make this make sense,” he said.

The incident has sparked debate online, with many Nigerians expressing concern over rising tensions and calls for stronger enforcement of laws against incitement and threats to life.