NSCIA rejects Christian genocide claim, demands comprehensive security reform

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has rejected claims that there is a genocide against Christians or any religious community in Nigeria, saying insecurity affects Nigerians regardless of faith.

The Council also called for an urgent and comprehensive reform of the country’s security architecture, including support for decentralised policing subject to constitutional safeguards, professionalism, accountability and respect for fundamental rights.

These were among the resolutions contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the NSCIA General Assembly held at the Abuja National Mosque on October 1, 2026, under the theme, “Nigerian Muslims and the Imperative of Nation-building.”

The Assembly, presided over by the President-General of the Council and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, said the security crisis should be addressed as a national challenge rather than one affecting a particular religious group.

The Council stated that “insecurity in Nigeria affects all Nigerians regardless of faith,” while rejecting what it described as claims in some quarters that there is a genocide against Christians or any religious community in the country.

It therefore urged the Federal Government to undertake comprehensive reforms of the security architecture, while supporting decentralised policing provided it is anchored on professionalism, constitutional safeguards, impartiality, accountability, sustainable funding, respect for fundamental rights and effective coordination between federal and state security institutions.

The NSCIA also called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to reduce the cost of transportation and food, saying the measures were necessary to alleviate the hardship being experienced by ordinary Nigerians.

The Council acknowledged government efforts to revive the economy but charged the authorities to expedite action on measures capable of easing the burden on citizens.

On religious harmony, the NSCIA urged Muslims to avoid manipulating Islam to promote hatred, violence and attacks against people who do not share their views.

It also called on Muslim scholars to desist from publicly attacking one another, urging them to resolve differences through internal mechanisms in order to preserve unity within the Muslim community.

The Council further urged Muslims to embrace the Islamic principle of Tabayyun, or verification, and desist from circulating unverified messages, allegations and accusations capable of damaging the reputation of individuals and leaders.

The NSCIA condemned attempts to deny the presence of Muslims in Igboland, asserting that Islam has existed in the region for several decades and across generations.

It described any attempt to portray Muslims as non-indigenous to Igboland as unacceptable, warning against actions that could suppress Muslims or normalise attacks against them.

On education and religious rights, the Council called for the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment concerning the construction of a mosque for Muslim students at Rivers State University.

It also urged government agencies and educational institutions to respect the right of Muslim female students, NYSC members, security personnel and female workers to wear hijab.

The Council specifically criticised the University of Ibadan, Obafemi Awolowo University and University of Lagos over what it described as their hostile dispositions towards Supreme Court judgments on the use of hijab in their international schools.

It urged the institutions to retrace their steps and comply with the law.

The Assembly further charged Muslims to participate actively in nation-building by contributing effectively in their workplaces and making faith a source of character rather than merely an identity.

It also urged Muslims to obtain their National Identification Numbers and Permanent Voter Cards and participate fully in choosing leaders at all levels.

The NSCIA encouraged Muslim organisations to pursue economic independence through lawful investments, cooperation and effective administration of Zakat and Waqf as instruments for sustainable poverty reduction.

The General Assembly also adopted the 2026 report of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, and endorsed its recommendations for repositioning the Hajj industry.