The killing of two Muslim leaders in Nigeria’s Benue State has prompted the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) to warn of the risk of deepening political and religious tensions across the country.
In a statement, the Council said its longstanding calls for calm and restraint should not be interpreted as weakness or fear, but as a deliberate effort to preserve peace and prevent unnecessary conflict.
However, it cautioned that “there are limits to human endurance” and urged political leaders, religious organisations, security agencies and civil society groups to act responsibly to prevent further escalation.
Concerns over discrimination
The NSCIA expressed concern over what it described as the growing marginalisation of Muslims in Nigeria’s public life.
According to the Council, Muslims continue to face unfair profiling and hostility despite their commitment to peaceful coexistence.
It argued that claims portraying Muslims as oppressors or perpetrators of religious persecution are misleading and are being amplified by foreign interests seeking to deepen division within the country.
The Council warned that narratives capable of fuelling religious distrust pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s unity and long-term stability if left unchallenged.
Warning against ethnic and religious profiling
The NSCIA also criticised attempts to associate Muslims, particularly members of the Fulani ethnic group, with criminal activity without credible evidence.
It referred to recent comments by some Christian leaders linking Fulani people to a kidnapping in Oyo State, saying available information from law enforcement agencies did not support the allegations.
The Council also highlighted the arrest of a Christian pastor in connection with a kidnapping and murder case in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State.
It argued that criminal acts should never be attributed to an entire religious or ethnic community on the basis of assumptions or prejudice.
Condemnation of Benue killings
The Council condemned the killing of the Benue State chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and his associate.
According to the NSCIA, the two men were killed in Okwudu Village in Ohimini Local Government Area shortly after attending a peace meeting.
The Council described the killings as tragic and disturbing, warning that the attack may have been intended to provoke retaliatory violence and inflame existing divisions.
It appealed to Muslims across Nigeria not to allow such incidents to undermine their commitment to peace, restraint and lawful conduct.
Concerns over political representation
The NSCIA also expressed dissatisfaction with what it described as an imbalance in public appointments affecting Muslims.
The Council argued that while many ministers from southern Nigeria are non-Muslims, Muslim public officials who leave government positions are frequently replaced by non-Muslims rather than qualified Muslim candidates.
It cited a recent appointment as an example of what it believes is part of a broader pattern of exclusion, while stressing that Muslims have continued to exercise restraint in the interests of national unity.
Call for justice and accountability
While reiterating its appeal for patience and peaceful conduct among Muslims, the Council stressed that maintaining law and order remains the responsibility of the government and security agencies.
It called on the Federal Government to ensure that those responsible for recent violent attacks in Kaduna and Benue states are thoroughly investigated, prosecuted and punished in accordance with the law.
The Council said justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done, warning that a failure to hold perpetrators accountable could encourage impunity and undermine national peace.
The NSCIA also called for a comprehensive investigation into allegations involving members of the Nigeria Police Force.
It referred to claims that certain Divisional Police Officers were involved in handing over a female Muslim scholar who was later killed, as well as allegations concerning the police officer who reportedly invited the slain MACBAN chairman before his death.
The Council urged the relevant authorities to investigate the allegations transparently and ensure that anyone found responsible is prosecuted.
Appeal for responsible public discourse
Concluding its statement, the NSCIA condemned what it described as increasing public attacks on the integrity of Islam and Muslims.
It called on political leaders, religious organisations, civil society groups and the media to promote responsible public discourse, mutual respect and religious tolerance.
The Council said protecting the dignity and rights of every religious community is essential to preserving Nigeria’s peace and stability.
It urged Nigerians to reject hate speech, avoid inflammatory rhetoric and work together to build a peaceful, united and just society in which every citizen can live free from discrimination and violence.
