Act before Muslims run out of patience, NSCIA tells FG

By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA — The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, has warned the Federal Government and security agencies to act before Muslims ‘run out of patience’, saying persistent attacks, profiling and marginalisation of the faith and its adherents could deepen religious tensions.

The council said Muslims had deliberately responded with restraint despite what it described as repeated provocation, insisting that patience should not be mistaken for weakness.

The warning was contained in a statement by the NSCIA’s Public Affairs Officer, Abbas Jimoh, on behalf of the council led by its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.

“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 council said.

It urged the authorities to rein in what it described as persistent attacks on Islam and Muslims in public spaces, saying that was essential to preserving peace and national cohesion.

“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,” the statement added.

According to the council, Muslims had remained committed to Nigeria’s unity despite feeling increasingly marginalised and unfairly portrayed as oppressors.

“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,” it said.

The body also faulted remarks it attributed to a former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, during a recent live television programme, describing comments allegedly claiming that 90 to 95 per cent of criminals were Muslims as reckless and baseless.

“This ought to have attracted at least a reprimand from responsible government regulatory agencies, in the interest of peace and national security,” the statement said.

It added that a Muslim leader making similar remarks would likely have been invited for questioning by security agencies.

The NSCIA also rejected claims by some Christian leaders linking Muslims and Fulani communities to recent kidnapping incidents in Oyo State, saying the suspect arrested over the Oriire kidnap case was “not only a Christian but a pastor.”

It further accused Arise Television of applying double standards in its coverage of the incident, alleging that the station dismissed it as unrelated to religion but would have treated it differently had the suspect been identified as a Muslim.

Beyond security concerns, the council also alleged that Muslims were being sidelined in public appointments, particularly in the South, citing the cases of Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, Mr Adebayo Adelabu and Dr Umaru Ganduje, among others, as examples of what it described as unequal treatment.

The statement further criticised opposition to Muslim-Muslim political tickets, arguing that similar concerns were not raised when Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe and Chief Obafemi Awolowo sought the presidency with Christian running mates, or when General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) appointed Awolowo Federal Commissioner for Finance and Vice-Chairman of the Federal Executive Council.

Even so, the council reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s peace and unity, while urging government institutions, security agencies and the media to act responsibly to prevent religious tensions from escalating.

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