01/07/2026
Date: 13th Muharram 1448 AH
(28 June 2026)
PRESS STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Stop attacking Islam and Muslims in Nigeria
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, reiterates its commitment to peace and unity of Nigeria.
The commitment necessitates silence and restraint despite unwarranted provocation, assault, and baseless profiling of Islam and the Muslims in the country. It should be clear that restraint is not cowardice. But there is always a limit to endurance.
While it is obvious that Muslims have been marginalized in public space in Nigeria, it is a paradox that there are still individuals bereft of conscience who still forcefully accuse the obviously deprived Muslims of oppression and persecution simply because certain foreign interests in search of deceiving their evangelical support base are using that ploy to create confusion, incite unrest, pe*****te and disintegrate Nigeria.
Some bizarre statements that 90-95% of criminals are Muslims by an extremist former Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) President on the promptings of a news anchor during a recent Channels Television programme that looked more like a well-rehearsed drama than an interview is one of such reckless, baseless and irresponsible statements that a government conscious of responsibility to all should have acted upon.
This ought to have attracted at least a reprimand from responsible government regulatory agencies, in the interest of peace and national security.
The media and the security agencies pretend that such opinions are not capable of provoking retaliatory statements or actions with the potential threat to the nation. If any Muslim leader has made such statements, he would have been a guest of the police and other security agencies.
Some Christian leaders even allege that the Fulani, a euphemism, for Muslims are responsible for the recent unfortunate kidnaps in Oyo State. Contrary to their wicked speculations, the names of the arrested person in Ibadan suggested otherwise. The person recently arrested for the kidnap incident at Orire is not only a Christian but a pastor.
What makes one of the Christian-owned media, Arise Television, to hypocritically dismiss the incident as not representative of any religion? If this has been a Muslim, by mere name, the opposite would have been conversed.
Despite the fact that all ministers from the southern part of Nigeria are non-Muslims, when any of the few resigns or is removed, he or she is replaced by non-Muslim. The cases of Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Mr Adegoke Adelabu as well as Dr. Umaru Ganduje, among others, are mere illustrations. Muslims keep their cool; yet they are being accused of persecuting others.
Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Chief Obafemi Awolowo during their presidential attempts had Christian vice-presidential candidates. No Muslim ever mentioned or raised alarm accusing them of Christian-Christian tickets, a pseudonym that is being used to blackmail and deprive Muslims of their lawful entitlements and legitimate rights in Nigeria.
When General Yakubu Gowon made Chief Obafemi Awolowo the Federal Commissioner for Finance and the Vice-Chairman of the Federal Executive Council, no one raised a noise on the Christian-Christian bearings.
While the NSCIA continues to appeal Muslims for continuous restraint, it is imperative that government and security agencies should do the needful before the Muslims run out of patience in the light of persistent attacks and marginalization.
The barrage of open assault on the integrity of Islam and the Muslims in public spaces should be checked in the interest of peace and order. Enough is enough.
Signed:
Abbas Jimoh
Public Affairs Officer
For and on behalf of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA)
