Kaduna — Influential Islamic clerics and political leaders from Northern Nigeria have raised concerns over the country’s worsening insecurity and the misuse of social media, warning that the situation could lead to national chaos if not urgently addressed.
The warning was delivered during a special summit of Northern Ulamas in Kaduna. The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, urged Muslim leaders to come together to safeguard peace and unity.
“This is the time for the Muslim Ummah to unite,” the Sultan said. “Our clerics must preach peace, tolerance, and national cohesion as taught by Islam. Social media should also be regulated because it is increasingly being used to sow division and hatred.”
House of Representatives Majority Leader, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, called for stronger cooperation between religious leaders and lawmakers in promoting peace and good governance.
“Security is a collective responsibility,” Doguwa noted. “The National Assembly is ready to support initiatives that foster unity and uphold Islamic principles.”
Senator Abdul’aziz Yari (Zamfara West) emphasized that insecurity first took root in predominantly Muslim areas before spreading nationwide. He urged community leaders to take responsibility and seek local solutions instead of placing all the blame on government authorities.
“Insecurity started among us,” Yari stated. “We can’t keep blaming others. The solution lies in unity, sincerity, and community dialogue.”
He also criticized the growing culture of dependency, urging Nigerians to embrace hard work and economic discipline.
“We can’t expect to get rich while doing nothing,” he said. “We must face the reality of our economy and work towards self-reliance.”
On the issue of fake news and hate speech, Yari cautioned that the unchecked spread of misinformation online poses a threat to everyone.
“Social media spares no one — rich or poor,” he warned. “It must be regulated and used responsibly, as done in other countries.”
Prominent cleric Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi attributed banditry and rural violence to poverty and external manipulation. According to him, “foreign interests” are exploiting uneducated herders to destabilize the country and gain access to its mineral wealth.
“Banditry is being fueled by external forces,” Gumi alleged. “We must engage in dialogue among Islamic groups and resolve these issues internally.”
At the end of the summit, participants adopted resolutions to strengthen unity among Islamic sects, promote dialogue and reconciliation, and enhance religious leadership in addressing insecurity, disunity, and economic challenges across Northern Nigeria.
