Northern Islamic Leaders Warn Nigeria Risks Chaos Amid Rising Insecurity, Call for Unity and Social Media Regulation
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News.
Northern Elders Sound Alarm over Worsening Security Situation
Nigeria’s leading Islamic scholars and political figures have expressed deep concern over the worsening state of insecurity across the country, warning that if urgent action is not taken, the nation could descend into chaos and social disintegration.
At a special summit of Northern Ulamas in Kaduna, prominent Muslim leaders including the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmad Bamalli, joined by Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, and House Leader Alhassan Doguwa, called for collective action to tackle the crises of banditry, fake news, and sectarian disunity threatening Nigeria’s stability.
The Sultan’s message was unequivocal: “This is the time to unite the Muslim Ummah. Our clerics must preach peace, tolerance, and national unity in line with Islamic teachings. Social media must also be regulated because it is increasingly being used to spread division and hatred.”
According to Akahi News, the summit’s tone reflected a growing sense of urgency within Northern Nigeria’s religious and political establishment, as insecurity, misinformation, and economic hardship continue to undermine social cohesion.
“Security Is Everyone’s Business” — Lawmakers Back Religious Dialogue
The Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Alhassan Doguwa, emphasised that national security cannot be left solely to the government.
“Security is everyone’s business,” Doguwa said. “We in the National Assembly will support any initiative that unites our people and upholds Islamic values.”
His remarks highlighted the need for collaboration between religious and political leaders in combating not only terrorism and banditry but also the socio-economic conditions that breed unrest.
Observers told Akahi News that such partnerships could play a crucial role in bridging the trust deficit between government institutions and the grassroots communities most affected by violence.
Yari: “Insecurity Began in Our Communities”
Former Zamfara State Governor and serving senator, Abdul’aziz Yari (Zamfara West), took a candid stance by acknowledging the internal failures contributing to the crisis.
“Insecurity started in Muslim-dominated areas. We can’t blame the government alone,” he said. “The solution lies in our hands — in unity, action, and honest dialogue.”
He criticised what he called the culture of dependency and complacency, saying, “We’re sleeping in our rooms and expecting to become billionaires. It doesn’t work that way. We must face economic realities.”
On the spread of misinformation, Yari warned that social media’s misuse had worsened divisions, adding: “Social media doesn’t spare anyone — rich or poor. We are all victims of its abuse. It’s time to regulate it and use it responsibly, as other nations do.”
Sheikh Gumi: “Banditry Is Fuelled by Outsiders Coveting Our Minerals”
Prominent Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi offered a deeper geopolitical perspective, alleging that external forces were exploiting Nigeria’s internal weaknesses for economic gain.
“Banditry is being fuelled by outsiders who covet our mineral wealth,” Gumi said. “They use uneducated herders as pawns in a larger game. We must talk among ourselves and end it internally.”
He urged clerics to focus on grassroots dialogue and economic empowerment to neutralise the allure of criminal activities among impoverished youths.
Gumi also advocated a measured review of social media laws, warning against stifling free expression while curbing defamation and hate speech. “We must reform, not repress,” he added, stressing that the summit’s goal was national unity, not confrontation.
Summit Resolutions: Toward a United Ummah and Peaceful Nigeria
The summit concluded with a collective resolution committing Islamic scholars and political leaders to:
- Strengthen inter-sect cooperation among Sunni, Shia, and Sufi groups to promote understanding and unity.
- Promote peaceful dialogue and conflict resolution within Northern communities.
- Support legislative frameworks for responsible social media use to curb fake news and religious incitement.
- Encourage economic reforms and youth empowerment as tools to combat insecurity and poverty.
According to Akahi News, the summit symbolises a growing realisation among Northern leaders that religious influence must be leveraged constructively to restore stability and confidence in governance.
Insight: A Call Beyond Religion — Towards National Rebirth
Analysts believe this Kaduna summit could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s security discourse, particularly if its resolutions translate into concrete community action.
While the call for social media regulation remains controversial, experts note that the underlying issue is misinformation and radicalisation, which have deepened ethnic and religious fault lines across the country.
Moreover, the appeal for unity from Northern clerics underscores a broader moral responsibility — to rebuild trust, prioritise dialogue, and realign religious teachings with national development goals.
As Akahi News observes, Nigeria’s crisis of insecurity is not just a political failure but a societal one. True progress will depend on whether moral, religious, and civic leaders can rise above partisanship to forge a shared vision of peace and justice.
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