Islamic Council warns against linking crime to religion, ethnicity

Ahead of Democracy Day celebrations, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has cautioned against linking criminal activities to any religion or ethnic group, warning that such narratives could deepen divisions and undermine efforts to tackle insecurity in the country.

The council made the call on Thursday in a Democracy Day message signed by its Public Affairs Officer, Abbas Jimoh, on behalf of the President-General of the NSCIA and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.

According to the statement, while insecurity remains a major challenge confronting the country, criminality should not be given ethnic or religious colouration.

It added that the council was concerned about the persistent threats posed by banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other forms of violent crime, which continue to claim innocent lives, displace communities and hinder national development.

“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,” the statement said.

It expressed concern over what it described as attempts by some individuals and groups to associate Nigerian Muslims with banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes, saying such profiling is unfair and does not reflect the character of the majority of Muslims in the country.

“We wish to state unequivocally that such religious profiling is false, misleading, and grossly unfair to the overwhelming majority of peace-loving Nigerian Muslims who continue to live, work, and contribute positively to national development across all sectors of society,” it said.

“While some mischief-makers were hell-bent on criminalising the Muslims and the Shariah for the kidnapping of students and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, recent developments have vindicated the Muslims of the attempted false-criminalisation,” the statement added.

It further argued that ethnic profiling was equally misleading, noting that suspects arrested in connection with the incident were not identified as Fulani, contrary to earlier reports.

The council urged media organisations, opinion leaders and other stakeholders to uphold professionalism, accuracy and fairness in their reporting and public commentary.

It also warned against narratives capable of inflaming tensions among Nigeria’s diverse communities and called for greater cooperation among government, security agencies and citizens in addressing insecurity.