A congregation of prominent Islamic scholars from across Northern Nigeria has called for urgent and united action to address worsening insecurity and socio-economic challenges in the region.
The call was made during a Special Northern Ulamas Summit held in Kaduna, which brought together leaders of various Islamic groups, scholars, and political stakeholders.
They deliberated on the root causes of insecurity and the role of religious leadership in finding lasting solutions.
In his opening remarks, Dr Bashir Umar, highlighted the surge in kidnappings, rural banditry, and economic hardship across the North.
The cleric stressed the need for collaboration among religious, political, and traditional leaders to save lives and restore peace.
Umar said:“We must rise above differences. We are all from Allah. This summit is about unity not division.
“The Qur’an and Sunnah guide us to work together to ensure peace, justice, and good relationships.”
He also warned against the misuse of social media to spread misinformation and incite conflicts, urging responsible communication to help the government understand the underlying causes of the crisis.
Speaking at the event, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, represented by the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmad Bamalli, commended the organisers of the programme and called for greater unity among the Muslim Ummah, regardless of sectarian differences.
He also expressed concern over the misuse of social media by some individuals in the society, stressing the need for appropriate regulation to curb its negative impact.
The Sultan further urged Islamic clerics to consistently promote messages of peace and unity, not only among Muslims but across all communities in the country, in line with the teachings of Islam.
On his part , Sheikh Ahmad Gumi emphasised the importance of dialogue among Muslim factions, warning that external influences and mineral-driven interests were fueling the banditry in the North.
“This congregation is not against anyone, but for the progress of the nation. Dialogue is crucial.
“If Northern Nigeria is at peace, the whole country benefits,” Gumi said.
He called for the regulation of social media contents through existing legal frameworks without infringing on freedom of speech.
Sen. Abdullaziz Yari, a former Governor of Zamfara, praised the summit as timely, stating g that insecurity in the North had persisted largely in Muslim-dominated areas due to poor coordination, lack of economic opportunities, and misinformation.
“We can’t keep blaming the government. The perpetrators are within us.
“We must work together – from scholars to ordinary citizens – to end this menace,” Yari said.
He also called for responsible economic attitudes, stating that the culture of seeking wealth without effort contributes to crime and instability.
The summit also received the backing of a member of the National Assembly. Hon. Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, Chairman of the Northern Caucus of the House of Representatives, who expressed support for the initiative and pledged legislative collaboration.
“This gathering is a step towards uniting the Ummah under purposeful leadership.
“We, in the National Assembly, are committed to engaging with the outcomes of this summit to enhance peace and governance,” Doguwa said.
The participants agreed that future editions of the summit should be expanded to include all the Muslims nationwide and eventually establish a national Islamic leadership forum to address the growing challenges facing Nigerian Muslims.
They also urged all the eligible Muslims to participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR)exercise as a civic and religious duty.
A key highlight of the summit was the planned launch of a book offering policy recommendations on security and economic reforms, rooted in Islamic teachings and community-based approaches.
Prominent Islamic clerics in attendance included Sheikh Ahmed Gumi and Sheikh Ibrahim Khalid.
Others were: Sheikh Abubakar Jahid, Sheikh Sani Yahaya-Jingir represented by Sheikh Mohammad Abdulmumin, and Sheikh Khalid Aliyu, Secretary-General of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI).
