Democracy Day: Nigerian Muslims face ‘Double Jeopardy’ over insecurity narratives — NSCIA

By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA — The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has said Nigerian Muslims are increasingly subjected to unfair profiling in discussions surrounding insecurity, describing the situation as a “double jeopardy” in which they are both victims of violence and wrongly portrayed as perpetrators.

The council made the assertion on Thursday in a Democracy Day statement, where it condemned terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, while calling for national unity and responsible public discourse on security issues.

In a statement signed by its Public Affairs Officer, Abbas Jimoh, the NSCIA, under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the council, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, said efforts to link Muslims to violent crimes were misleading and detrimental to the fight against insecurity.

“While Nigerian Muslims themselves remain victims of terrorism, discrimination and persecution, it is regrettable that they are also being falsely portrayed as perpetrators. In effect, they are being made to suffer double jeopardy,” the statement said.

The council expressed concern over what it described as persistent attempts by some individuals and groups, both within and outside Nigeria, to associate Muslims with banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities.

According to the NSCIA, such religious profiling unfairly targets millions of law-abiding Muslims who contribute positively to national development across various sectors.

The council cited the recent abduction of students and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State as an example of what it called premature and inaccurate attempts to link criminal acts to Islam and Shariah.

“While some mischief-makers were bent on criminalising Muslims and the Shariah over the kidnapping of students and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, recent developments have vindicated Muslims against such attempts at false criminalisation,” the statement noted.

Referencing an article by media scholar, Professor Farooq Kperogi, titled “Don’t Add Lies to the Terrorist Horror in Oyo,” the council argued that the tragic incident should not be exploited through misinformation, speculation or propaganda.

The NSCIA also condemned ethnic profiling in crime reporting, noting that the identities of suspects arrested in connection with the Oyo abduction case did not support earlier claims that the perpetrators were Fulani.

“This practice should cease. Anyone who commits a crime should be identified by the offence committed and prosecuted in accordance with the laws of the land,” it said.

The council reiterated its condemnation of all forms of criminality, stressing that insecurity continues to claim lives, destroy livelihoods, displace communities and hinder national development.

“The Council unequivocally condemns all acts of violence and criminality and, for the umpteenth time, admonishes those involved to abandon and renounce their destructive activities.

“The Council reiterates that Islam, like other divinely revealed religions, neither condones nor permits the shedding of innocent blood, kidnapping, banditry, terrorism or any form of criminal conduct,” the statement added.

The NSCIA further urged journalists, commentators and public figures to uphold professionalism, accuracy and fairness in reporting security-related issues, warning against narratives capable of deepening divisions and mistrust among Nigerians.

“Criminality should neither be given ethnic nor religious colouration, as such narratives deepen divisions and undermine collective efforts to address insecurity and achieve lasting peace,” it stated.

Commemorating the 27th anniversary of uninterrupted democratic governance in Nigeria, the council said June 12 remains a symbol of the values of justice, accountability, inclusion and respect for human dignity.

The NSCIA also commended the Federal Government, security agencies and community leaders for ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity, while calling for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to restore peace and stability across the country.

“We pray that Allah strengthens and protects our security agencies in their efforts to safeguard lives and property,” the council added.

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