The Archbishop of Canterbury has condemned the "appalling stoning to death" of a young Christian woman in Northern Nigeria. 

"This violence is a sin against God. I pray for the family and loved ones of Deborah Samuel, and I continue to pray fervently for the nation of Nigeria," Most Rev Justin Welby said on Twitter. 

Deborah Emmanuel (aka Deborah Yakubu or Deborah Samuel) was stoned and then set on fire during this year's Ramadan after her classmates accused her of sending WhatsApp messages insulting the Muslim Prophet Muhammad.

The group of students recorded themselves setting Deborah's body on fire and posted it on social media. In the video, the can be heard screaming 'Allahu Akbar (Allah is greater)'.

Archbishop Justin continued: "I have spent much time in northern Nigeria working with others in pursuit of reconciliation and interfaith dialogue. I am profoundly disappointed and grieved that such violence still takes place in God's name.

"I'm grateful for those Nigerian Muslim leaders that have condemned this atrocity. I call for renewed efforts by the Nigerian Government to ensure liberty and equality under the law - whether for Christians or Muslims - which was so tragically absent in this case.

"I urge people to pray for interfaith dialogue, reconciliation and peace in Nigeria," he concluded. 

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is calling in all church leaders to organise a peaceful protest on Sunday, May 22.