A Bauchi woman, Rhoda Jatau, who was imprisoned for blasphemy after condemning the killing of a female student in Sokoto, has finally secured her freedom after spending 18 months behind bars.

According to a reliable source, Jatau was released on bail on Friday following concerted interventions by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) and the Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria.

The mother of five was arrested and detained in May 2022 for sharing a video where she spoke against the brutal murder of Deborah Samuel, a 200-level student lynched after making alleged blasphemous statements on a WhatsApp group.

While details of Jatau’s bail conditions and the facilitating court order were not disclosed, it was gathered that NIREC played a pivotal role in negotiating her release from prison custody in Bauchi.

Religious bodies and rights groups have continued demanding justice over Deborah’s savage murder by a mob of Muslim youths at the Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto State, an incident that sparked outrage across Nigeria.

Jatau’s supporters remain hopeful her legal case will still end favorably. She however requires prayers and support as the blasphemy charges against her might not have been revoked despite leaving detention.