Christianah Oluwatoyin Oluwasesin was a Nigerian secondary school teacher. A Christian, she taught a student body consisting mostly of Muslims. Holding exams in March 2007, she was killed in a riot after one of her students accused her of desecrating their Qur’an.

Since students were about to take exams, Christianah collected their belongings to place in another part of the room until the exams were over. One of the students claimed, in tears, that a Qur’an was in their bag, and Christianah, by touching it while Christian, had desecrated it. The reaction was swift; students erupted in a rage and, as a mob, tried to kill her.

“She was completely burnt beyond recognition. But because she was my wife, I was able to recognize her.” - Michael Oluwaseesin, Christianah’s husband

Though Christianah managed to evade the mob temporarily, making it to the principal’s office, the mob did not abate or calm down. They had been joined by locals attracted to the scene who were now outraged as well, and they demanded Christianah be turned over to them. Accounts vary here; by some, the mob managed to break into the office to reach Christianah, but her husband claims the principal complied with the mob’s demands and gave her to them.

In any case, the result was Christianah’s stabbing, flogging, and beating. Her body was soon set aflame as well. No evidence was ever produced for the claim that she had touched the student’s Qur’an, and no Qur’an was even found.. 

Christianah left behind a husband and two children. They, too, continued to be harassed and attacked in the aftermath of the murder. Their house was attacked and their baby kidnapped.