The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has rejected what it described as increasing efforts by certain individuals and groups, both within and outside Nigeria, to wrongly link Muslims in the country with banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.
The Council said such claims are misleading, divisive, and capable of undermining national unity.
In a Democracy Day statement released on Thursday and signed by its Public Affairs Officer, Abbas Jimoh, the NSCIA—led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar—expressed concern over what it called unfair attempts to associate the Muslim community with criminal behaviour.
It stressed that the vast majority of Nigerian Muslims are peaceful, law-abiding citizens who contribute meaningfully to national development, warning against broad generalisations based on the actions of a few individuals.
The Council further noted that profiling criminals based on religion is both unjust and deceptive, especially as many Muslims are also victims of terrorism, kidnapping, and other forms of insecurity across the country.
It referenced the recent abduction of students and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, stating that some individuals had used the incident to make unfounded claims linking Islam and Shariah law to the crime.
However, the Council pointed out that later investigations and arrests had contradicted early reports that suggested the suspects were Muslims or Fulani herders.
Quoting an article by Professor Farooq Kperogi titled “Don’t Add Lies to the Terrorist Horror in Oyo,” the NSCIA said the tragedy had already caused enough pain without being worsened by misinformation and speculation that could further inflame tensions.
It maintained that available findings on the suspects did not support the initial claims about their identity, describing those early reports as inaccurate.
The Council reiterated that criminals should be identified and prosecuted strictly based on their actions, rather than being assigned ethnic or religious labels.
It warned that attaching religious or ethnic identities to criminal acts only deepens division, fuels mistrust, and weakens collective efforts to address insecurity in the country.
While extending Democracy Day greetings to Nigerians, the NSCIA acknowledged progress in the nation’s democratic journey but expressed concern over ongoing security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping.
It condemned all forms of violence and urged those involved in criminal activities to abandon such acts, while also offering prayers for victims and their families.
The Council further called on journalists, community leaders, and other stakeholders to uphold accuracy, fairness, and professionalism in their reporting, warning against narratives that could heighten tensions among Nigeria’s diverse population.