Five people have been arraigned in Nigeria in the brutal murder of a Christian woman who was accused of blaspheming Mohammed.

Nigerian authorities said 74-year-old Bridget Abihime, a trader and pastor's wife, was surrounded last Thursday by a mob of Muslims and beheaded at a market in Kano.

It is reported that the woman was killed for allegedly saying Islam's prophet was not important.

The suspects are Dauda Ahmad, Abdullahi Mustapha, Zubairu Abubakar, Abdullahi Abubakar, and Musa Abdullahi.

Christians in the country are demanding protection from authorities.

The northern chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria said police are not doing enough to protect Christians and warned of a "looming religious crisis."

"This barbarism must stop now," said the association's spokesman, Rev. John Hayab. He accused police of trying to cover up the killing.

President Muhammadu Buhari and Kano state Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje had condemned the killing, demanding that the police ensure justice was done.

Meanwhile, the suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges. The case has been adjourned until June 28.