NSCIA Rejects Claims Linking Nigerian Muslims to Banditry, Kidnapping

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has strongly condemned what it described as growing attempts by individuals and groups, both within and outside the country, to associate Nigerian Muslims with banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes. The Council warned that such narratives are false, divisive, and harmful to national unity, especially at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with serious security challenges.

The statement was issued in Abuja as part of a Democracy Day message released ahead of the 27th anniversary of uninterrupted democratic governance on June 12, 2026. The message was signed under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, and conveyed by NSCIA’s Public Affairs Officer, Abbas Jimoh.

The Council expressed concern over what it described as persistent efforts to unjustly portray Nigerian Muslims as perpetrators of criminal activities, despite many Muslims being victims of terrorism, discrimination, and insecurity themselves. It described the situation as a form of “double jeopardy,” stressing that peaceful Muslim communities across the country are being unfairly stigmatized while also suffering from the same violence being attributed to them.

The NSCIA specifically referenced the recent kidnapping of students and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, saying there were premature attempts by some commentators to link the incident to Islam and Shariah. It argued that such claims were misleading and contributed to misinformation and public misunderstanding, noting that subsequent developments did not support those initial allegations.

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The Council also condemned broader patterns of ethnic profiling in the reporting of criminal cases, insisting that suspects should be identified strictly by the crimes they commit and prosecuted according to the law. It warned that attaching ethnic or religious identity to criminal acts deepens divisions and undermines national efforts to address insecurity.

Reaffirming Islam’s stance, the NSCIA stressed that the religion does not condone violence, banditry, kidnapping, or terrorism in any form. It reiterated its condemnation of all criminal acts and expressed sympathy for victims of insecurity across the country, while calling on perpetrators to abandon violence and embrace peace.

In its Democracy Day message, the Council also reflected on Nigeria’s 27 years of democratic governance, describing June 12 as a symbol of justice, accountability, and national struggle. It said the day serves as a reminder that democracy can only thrive where human dignity, inclusion, and fairness are upheld.

The NSCIA called on journalists, media organisations, and public commentators to exercise caution and professionalism in their reporting, warning against narratives that could inflame tensions or deepen mistrust among Nigeria’s diverse communities. It urged responsible journalism that promotes unity rather than division.

The Council also commended the efforts of the Federal Government, security agencies, and community leaders in tackling insecurity, while calling for greater collaboration to restore peace and stability across the country. It prayed for the protection and success of security personnel working to safeguard lives and property.

It concluded by emphasizing that Nigeria’s diversity should remain a source of strength rather than division, urging citizens to reject narratives that promote hatred and instead work together toward unity, peace, and national development.

NSCIA Rejects Claims Linking Nigerian Muslims to Banditry, Kidnapping

President Tinubu Deserves Credit – US Lawmaker Praises Nigeria’s State Police Breakthrough

ABUJA – In a historic move to restructure Nigeria’s security architecture, the House of Representatives has passed the constitutional amendment bill establishing state police across the federation, drawing immediate praise from a prominent United States lawmaker.

Riley Moore, a Republican US House member who has previously raised concerns about security and religious persecution in Nigeria, hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerian lawmakers following Thursday’s plenary vote. The bill, which secured overwhelming support, paves the way for states to establish and manage their own police forces alongside the Nigeria Police Force.

A total of 289 lawmakers voted in support of the proposal, while one member abstained and none voted against, reflecting near-unanimous bipartisan backing for the far-reaching reform. The voting was conducted manually after Speaker Tajudeen Abbas announced that the electronic voting system was faulty, with members raising their hands to indicate their positions.

How the House Voted: 289 in Favour, Speaker Abstains

The state police bill was approved during consideration at the Committee of the Whole, presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who himself abstained from the vote. According to reports, 290 members were present at plenary for the day’s legislative business. Before voting commenced, the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Benjamin Kalu, presented arguments in support of the proposal and urged lawmakers to back the measure. He stressed the need for a more decentralised policing framework to effectively address the country’s growing security challenges, including banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism. The session was not without drama. Kaduna lawmaker Bashir Zubairu moved a point of order, explaining that the document on the proposed state police put together by the House Committee on Constitution Review only reached lawmakers on Thursday afternoon. He argued that they could not do justice to it because they had not gone through it, but was ruled out of order, allowing the process to proceed.

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Riley Moore: “Critical Step Toward Ending Persecution of Christians”

Reacting to the development in a statement posted on his X account, US Congressman Riley Moore expressed satisfaction with the House’s decision. He said he was “thankful to see that Nigeria’s House of Representatives passed this important policy that I’ve been calling for since @POTUS first asked me to investigate the genocide against Christians in Nigeria.” “In fact, I raised this idea directly with Nigeria’s First Lady during her visit to Washington and have done so repeatedly with every Nigerian delegation I’ve met with,” he added. Moore stated that empowering state governments to handle security matters more effectively would help improve safety across the country. He declared, “Ensuring states can protect their own citizens is a critical step toward ending the persecution of Christians and the overall instability in Nigeria.” The US lawmaker also applauded President Tinubu for supporting the legislation and encouraging lawmakers to advance it through the National Assembly. He added that “President Tinubu deserves credit for supporting this legislation and urging its passage through Nigeria’s parliament.” Moore, however, noted that more work remains before state police forces can become operational. “There’s still a ways to go before state-level police forces will be in place, but this is a sign that all our hard work is paying off,” he said.

Next Steps: Senate, 24 State Assemblies, Presidential Assent

Before becoming law, the state police bill must clear several additional hurdles. It requires Senate approval – the bill has already scaled second reading in the Senate – as well as endorsement by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly (two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 states), and finally presidential assent by President Bola Tinubu. During Senate proceedings, President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution chaired by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau, for further consideration. The committee will report back to plenary for voting when lawmakers reconvene after their break. In his presentation of the general principles of the bill, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele highlighted the national significance of creating state police, noting that the country’s centralised policing system could no longer cope with current realities of escalating insecurity. He argued that the scale of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality required the engagement of people living within communities with the ability to gather useful intelligence to counter criminal elements. Bamidele noted that the bill would promote community policing by fostering trust between law enforcement and the public, relieve pressure on the Federal Police to allow them to focus on interstate crimes and national security operations, and strengthen Nigeria’s federal structure. He gave examples of other federations like the United States, Australia, and Germany where policing is shared by several layers of government, arguing that Nigeria should not remain an exception among federal systems.

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Key Provisions of the State Police Bill

The proposed amendment seeks to fundamentally restructure Nigeria’s policing architecture by creating both Federal Police and State Police formations. The bill amends Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution to formally establish both policing structures. Under the proposal, the National Assembly would be empowered to prescribe the structure, organisation, administration and powers of the Federal Police, while also providing the legal framework and minimum standards for state police services nationwide. Key provisions of the bill include that no state police formation shall commence operations unless established through a law passed by the relevant State House of Assembly and certified as complying with national minimum standards. The Federal Police will continue to exercise policing powers in any state until its police service becomes fully operational. Federal intervention is limited to cases of complete breakdown of law and order, upon request of a governor, or where a state police force becomes unable to function. The Inspector-General of Police will be appointed by the President on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council, subject to confirmation by the National Assembly. State Commissioners of Police will be appointed by governors on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council from among serving officers of the State Police, subject to confirmation by State Houses of Assembly. Governors may issue lawful directives to State Commissioners of Police; disputes may be referred to the Nigeria Police Council for final decision. The bill also amends Section 84 of the Constitution by replacing references to the “National Police Council and the Federal Police Service Commission” with the “Nigeria Police Council and the Police Service Commission.”

Background: Why State Police Now?

The push for state police has gained urgency as insecurity spreads across Nigeria. The House approved the bill following a spike in killings, kidnappings, and banditry in the past several months. In May alone, gunmen abducted dozens of students and teachers in separate attacks in Oyo and Borno states, highlighting the reach of criminal and insurgent groups across regions. State governors have long argued that they are held accountable for security but lack operational control over police in their states. Reform advocates argue state police could improve response times, strengthen intelligence gathering, and deploy officers with better knowledge of local communities. The House also approved 18 constitutional amendment clauses as part of the broader constitutional review exercise aimed at reforming critical aspects of governance and public administration. The passage of the bill marks one of the most significant constitutional and security reforms undertaken by the National Assembly since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999. If eventually enacted, the legislation is expected to introduce a multi-layered policing system aimed at improving responses to banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other security threats through greater local participation in policing. The reform could redefine the country’s approach to tackling violent crimes through a more localised security architecture.

Conclusion: Historic Reform Moves Forward

The passage of the state police bill by the House of Representatives represents a watershed moment in Nigeria’s ongoing struggle to address pervasive insecurity. With 289 votes in favour, the measure enjoys rare cross-party consensus on a constitutionally complex issue. As the bill now moves to the Senate, then to state assemblies, and finally to President Tinubu’s desk, the coming months will determine whether Nigeria joins the ranks of federal nations like the United States and Germany that operate decentralised policing systems. For US Congressman Riley Moore, who has long advocated for the reform as a solution to both insecurity and religious persecution, Thursday’s vote is proof that persistence pays off. “There’s still a ways to go,” he said, “but this is a sign that all our hard work is paying off.”

President Tinubu Deserves Credit – US Lawmaker Praises Nigeria’s State Police Breakthrough

NDLEA Destroys ₦2.8 Billion Worth of Cannabis, Cocaine, Heroin in Edo Drug Bust

BENIN CITY – In a fiery public display of Nigeria’s resolve to stamp out illicit substances, the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Thursday destroyed a staggering 73,463.21 kilogrammes of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances with an estimated street value of ₦2.8 billion.

The destruction exercise, carried out under a Federal High Court order at Idogbo Bypass in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, saw mounds of illegal drugs set ablaze before a crowd of government officials, security personnel, traditional rulers, and civil society stakeholders.

Officials described the event not as a celebration, but as a sobering reaffirmation of Nigeria’s commitment to dismantle drug trafficking networks and save countless lives from addiction-fueled crime and health crises.

Breakdown: What Was Destroyed?

The bulk of the seized narcotics was Cannabis sativa, accounting for 73,210.23 kilogrammes of the total. However, the agency also destroyed significant quantities of dangerous synthetic opioids and hard drugs. A detailed breakdown shows that Cannabis sativa (marijuana) amounted to 73,210.23 kg, while total psychotropic substances reached 246.36 kg. Within that category, Tramadol accounted for 141.81 kg, Codeine cough syrup 61.77 kg, and Diazepam 8.43 kg. Additionally, Methamphetamine weighed 2.66 kg, Cocaine 3.74 kg, and Heroin 0.22 kg. Every kilogramme destroyed, officials noted, represents potential lives saved from drug-induced psychosis, armed robbery, kidnapping, and premature death.

Governor Okpebholo: “Drug Traffickers Must Leave Edo State”

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, speaking through the First Lady and Chairperson of the Edo State Drug Control Committee, Mrs. Edesili Anani, delivered a stern ultimatum to narcotics peddlers. He declared, “Drug traffickers must leave Edo State because we are coming for them, and we will not relent until every gram of illicit substance is seized and destroyed.” Governor Okpebholo framed the war against drug abuse as inseparable from the fight against violent crime, stating that the war on drugs is a war for the soul of Nigeria, a war against criminality, kidnapping, banditry, and the devastating health consequences of substance abuse. He announced that his administration would establish a modern rehabilitation centre for individuals recovering from addiction, acknowledging that enforcement alone cannot solve the crisis.

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NDLEA Chairman Marwa: Beyond Burning Contraband

Brigadier-General Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), Chairman and CEO of the NDLEA, described the public destruction as a powerful symbol of national resolve. Represented by the agency’s Director of Operations and General Investigation, DCGN Suleiman Ahmed Ningi, Marwa said that what they gathered to do transcends the physical act of burning contraband. He stated that they were, in the most powerful terms, reaffirming their collective and unshakeable resolve to confront, dismantle, and ultimately defeat the menace of drug abuse. Marwa specifically thanked the Edo State Government for donating 20 plots of land for the construction of a model NDLEA State Command headquarters, a move he said would significantly boost operational efficiency.

Senate Pledges Three-Pronged Legislative Strategy

Senator Joseph Ikpea (Edo Central), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, praised the NDLEA’s efforts and announced a comprehensive three-pronged legislative strategy to combat substance abuse nationwide. The first prong is supply reduction, which involves stronger laws, better funding for NDLEA, and international cooperation to cut off trafficking routes. The second is demand reduction, focusing on the introduction of early health awareness on drug consequences into primary and secondary school curricula. The third is treatment and rehabilitation, treating addiction as a disease, building more rehab centres, and destigmatizing recovery. Senator Ikpea emphasized that every kilogramme of cocaine, every bag of cannabis, and every sachet of tramadol and codeine destroyed that day represented lives saved from the catastrophic effects of drugs. He acknowledged that NDLEA operatives work in dangerous, underfunded conditions and pledged to push for better welfare, modern equipment, and stronger legal backing.

Commander Ofoyeju: Drugs Hidden in Shrines, Operatives Attacked with Firearms

Mitchell Ofoyeju, NDLEA Edo State Commander, provided a chilling account of the command’s recent operations. He revealed that officers had intercepted illicit substances concealed in vehicles, articulated trucks, and even traditional shrines. He stated that the command had apprehended both the young and the aged, male and female, and had even recovered drugs hidden in shrines, adding that operatives had been attacked on the line of duty with firearms, but they remained undeterred in executing their mandate. Ofoyeju disclosed that during the first quarter of 2026 alone, the command seized drugs worth more than ₦1.8 billion and arrested 104 suspected drug traffickers across the state. He ended with a poignant warning to parents, saying that while families may give their children money, the best schools, good food and clothing, if they fail to protect them from drug and substance abuse, they have indeed given them nothing.

National Context: Billions in Opioids Intercepted at Ports

Thursday’s destruction in Edo is part of a wider national crackdown on illicit drug trafficking, particularly through Nigeria’s South-South region. Recent major seizures include: in April 2026, the NDLEA secured interim forfeiture orders for opioids valued at over ₦33.6 billion intercepted at Onne Port, Rivers State. In June 2025, seven watch-listed containers carrying opioids and codeine syrup worth ₦9.3 billion were seized at Onne Port. In August 2025, NAFDAC intercepted 16 containers of fake and substandard regulated products valued at approximately ₦20.5 billion, also at Onne Port. And in April 2024, the NDLEA destroyed a national cache of 304,436 kilogrammes and 40,042 litres of narcotics. These figures underscore the scale of Nigeria’s challenge as a transit hub for illegal drug trafficking between Latin America, Asia, and European markets.

What’s Next: Pre-Election Raids Intensify

With the July 11, 2026, local government election approaching, the NDLEA has announced plans to intensify raids on identified drug hotspots across Edo State. The agency stated it would conduct targeted operations before, during, and after the elections to prevent criminal elements from exploiting illicit substances to foment violence.

Conclusion

The destruction of ₦2.8 billion worth of drugs in Edo State sends an unmistakable message: Nigeria is no longer willing to serve as a transit point, warehouse, or dumping ground for narcotics. But as officials acknowledged, enforcement is only one pillar. Without rehabilitation, education, and economic opportunity, the battle against substance abuse cannot be fully won. Witnessed by security agencies, religious leaders, students, and community stakeholders, Thursday’s bonfire in Benin City may have been one of the largest in the state’s history. The NDLEA vows it will not be the last.

NDLEA Destroys ₦2.8 Billion Worth of Cannabis, Cocaine, Heroin in Edo Drug Bust