NSCIA: Islam does not support kidnapping, banditry, terrorism — Muslims are victims of insecurity
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) says Islam does not support or permit criminal activities such as kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, or any other form of violence.
In a statement issued on Thursday to mark Nigeria’s 27th Democracy Day anniversary, Abbas Jimoh, NSCIA public affairs officer, said insecurity remains a major challenge affecting all Nigerians.
Jimoh noted that criminal activities continue to claim innocent lives, destroy livelihoods, displace communities, and hinder national development.
He said the council is concerned about what it described as attempts by some individuals and groups, both within and outside Nigeria, to associate Nigerian Muslims with crimes such as banditry, kidnapping, and other violent acts.
“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 reads.
The council said such religious profiling is false, misleading, and unfair to millions of Nigerian Muslims who contribute positively to national development.
The NSCIA referenced the recent kidnapping of students and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, alleging that some individuals sought to portray the incident as evidence of criminality linked to Islam and Muslims.
According to the council, subsequent developments have disproved those claims.
The organisation cited an article by Farooq Kperogi titled “Don’t Add Lies to the Terrorist Horror in Oyo”, which argued that the kidnapping was already tragic and did not require what it described as falsehoods, conjecture, or propaganda.
The council also criticised ethnic profiling in the reporting of criminal activities, noting that suspects arrested in connection with the Orire incident were not identified as Fulani despite earlier reports suggesting otherwise.
“It is enough that Nigerian Muslims themselves are victims of not only terrorism but also discrimination and persecution. It is also sad that they are being falsely criminalised as the perpetrators,” the statement said.
The NSCIA called on media organisations, opinion leaders, and other stakeholders to exercise professionalism, accuracy, and fairness in public commentary and reporting.
It warned against narratives capable of inflaming tensions or deepening mistrust among Nigeria’s diverse communities.
“Criminality should neither be given ethnic nor religious coloration, as such narratives deepen divisions and undermine collective efforts to address insecurity and achieve lasting peace,” the council said.
The organisation commended the efforts of the federal government, security agencies, and community leaders in tackling insecurity and called for greater collaboration to restore peace and stability across the country.
The council also congratulated Nigerians on the 2026 Democracy Day celebration, describing June 12 as a reminder that democracy thrives where justice, accountability, inclusion, and respect for human dignity prevail.
It urged Nigerians to renew their commitment to peace, security, and national development while honouring those who fought for democracy and constitutional rule.
