Thursday 3rd, July 2026
By Admin
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has called on the Federal Government and security agencies to take urgent measures to address what it described as persistent attacks, marginalisation and negative profiling of Muslims in Nigeria, warning that continued inaction could threaten national peace and stability.
In a statement issued by the Council's Public Affairs Officer, Abbas Jimoh, on behalf of its President-General, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the apex Islamic body reaffirmed its commitment to peace, national unity and religious harmony despite what it described as repeated provocations against Muslims across the country.
The Council stated that while Muslims had continued to exercise restraint in the face of perceived discrimination and hostility, such patience should not be interpreted as weakness.
"Restraint is not cowardice, but there is always a limit to endurance," the statement noted.
The NSCIA alleged that certain individuals and organisations have continued to portray Muslims as oppressors despite what it described as their own experiences of marginalisation in public life. It further claimed that some foreign interests were exploiting religious differences in an attempt to sow discord and destabilise the country.
The Council also criticised remarks recently made by former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Ayo Oritsejafor, during a television programme, describing the comments as reckless, unfounded and capable of heightening religious tensions.
According to the Council, similar remarks from a Muslim leader would likely have attracted swift intervention from security and regulatory agencies, urging authorities to apply the law fairly and impartially regardless of religious affiliation.
The Islamic body further rejected attempts to link Muslims and Fulani communities to a recent kidnapping incident in Oyo State, arguing that the identities of those arrested in connection with the crime did not support such allegations.
The NSCIA also condemned the killing of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria chairman in Benue State, Ardo Risku Muhammad, and his associate, Yakubu Isah, following what it described as a peace meeting in Otukpo Local Government Area, and called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident.
The Council equally expressed concern over what it described as the under-representation of Muslims in public appointments, alleging that the replacement of Muslim political office holders with non-Muslims reflected a broader pattern of exclusion.
While urging Muslims nationwide to remain peaceful, law-abiding and committed to national unity, the NSCIA called on the Federal Government to ensure that those responsible for violent attacks and killings in both Kaduna State and Benue State are identified, arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Council also demanded transparent investigations into allegations involving police officers accused of misconduct in separate incidents, including claims surrounding the death of a female Muslim scholar in Kaduna State and the circumstances surrounding the killing of the MACBAN chairman.