metro
Kano Shura Council grills cleric accused of blasphemy
Kano Shura Council grills cleric accused of blasphemy
The Kano State Shura Council on Monday held a closed-door session with Islamic cleric Malam Lawan Shu’aibu Abubakar, popularly known as Triumph, to discuss allegations of blasphemy leveled against him by five Islamic groups.
The meeting, which took place at the Department of State Services (DSS) office in Kano, was convened to clarify statements attributed to the cleric in some viral videos that allegedly contained remarks considered derogatory to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Present at the session were the Chairman of the Council, Wazirin Kano, Sa’ad Shehu Gidado; the Secretary, Shehu Wada Sagagi; the Kano Director of DSS, and several respected Islamic scholars who are members of the Shura subcommittee tasked with examining the matter.
The meeting began at exactly 11:39am with an opening prayer led by Malam Abba Koki, after which the Council Chairman, Wazirin Kano, welcomed participants and outlined the purpose of the gathering.
“In September 2025, the government received a petition from five Islamic groups alleging that some teachings of the accused amounted to blasphemy against the Prophet. The petition was forwarded to the Shura Council to investigate and make recommendations after hearing from him,” Gidado said.
“This is not a court session but a discussion between the Council and the accused. Whatever we do here will be forwarded to the government for further consideration.”
The Council said although nine issues were raised in the petition, four specific allegations with verifiable evidence were selected for deliberation. These included claims that the Prophet was born circumcised and with eyeliner (kwalli), that he had lice on his head, and that he used to visit the homes of married women, citing an example involving Ummu Haramun, his aunt.
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A video recording containing the contentious statements was played at 11:53am, and by 12:09pm, Malam Triumph confirmed ownership of the clips.
“They are all my submissions,” he said.
When given the floor to explain, the cleric denied making the statements in the manner alleged.
“I said the Prophet was not born circumcised, with a cut navel or with eyeliner. That he was born circumcised is false; his uncle, Abdulmuttalib, took him for circumcision. Books are available to verify this,” he stated while referencing multiple Islamic texts to support his argument.
On the issue of eyeliner, the cleric said, “I said even animals are born with eyeliner but it cannot be associated with the Prophet because he is above that. I said he did not have it because anything Allah gives him is always special.”
During the discussion, Sheikh Habibu Muhammad Dan Almajiri questioned the cleric’s sources, asking him to identify scholars who explicitly supported his position. Other members, including Sheikh Abdullahi Uwais, Malam Usman Makwarari, and Malam Mai Bushira, emphasized the sensitivity of religious teachings and cautioned against statements that could be misunderstood by the public.
“People of Kano are very sensitive when it comes to anything related to the Prophet. You must be careful with language and context. Even if your intention is good, your words might cause confusion. Please change your approach to teaching,” Mai Bushira said.
Malam Triumph responded that his remarks were taken out of context.
“We sat with the Shari’a Commission earlier and they understood me. Some people didn’t even hear the full clip but judged from short videos. I was misunderstood,” he said.
The Chairman of the Council, Wazirin Kano, reminded participants that the session was not for debate but dialogue aimed at clarification.
In his closing remarks, Malam Triumph expressed appreciation to the Council and reiterated his commitment to peaceful preaching.
“Some people took my clips and misinterpreted them, which can instigate the public. I believe in the Prophet and his teachings; he is our saviour. To those who misunderstood my words, I seek forgiveness. It was not intentional.
“God knows I love peace and peaceful coexistence. May He guide us all,” he said.
Sheikh Abdullahi Uwais Limanci concluded by advising the cleric and other preachers to exercise caution in their choice of words to avoid future controversies.
The meeting ended with a resolution that the Council would forward its findings and recommendations to the state government for appropriate consideration.
Kano Shura Council grills cleric accused of blasphemy
metro
Teen alleges torture by stepmother, loses hand
Teen alleges torture by stepmother, loses hand
A 19-year-old boy, identified as Friday, has accused his stepmother of subjecting him to torture that resulted in the amputation of one of his hands.
Friday’s account was made public in a viral video shared by Nigerian content creator Lucky Udu.
The teenager alleged that the incident occurred while his father was away, during which his stepmother accused him of having an inappropriate relationship with her and demanded that he confess.
He claimed she threatened him with a knife when he denied the allegation.
Friday further alleged that he was taken to a man who accused him of witchcraft and subjected him to torture, including burning his hands over charcoal.
He said his injuries later became infected, but his stepmother allegedly refused to take him to a hospital and instead forced him to continue working.
According to him, a passerby who noticed his condition alerted the police, leading to his rescue and the arrest of the stepmother.
He was subsequently taken to a specialist hospital where doctors amputated his hand due to the severity of the damage.
The incident has generated reactions on social media, with many Nigerians calling for justice and stronger protection for vulnerable children.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
Teen alleges torture by stepmother, loses hand
metro
Cars Torched as South Africans Protest Alleged Nigerian ‘Igbo King’ Coronation
Cars Torched as South Africans Protest Alleged Nigerian ‘Igbo King’ Coronation
Violence erupted on Monday in KuGompo City, Eastern Cape, South Africa, following the reported coronation of a Nigerian national as a traditional king, prompting the Nigerian High Commission to issue a 10-point safety advisory urging Nigerians in the country to prioritise safety and maintain a low profile.
According to the advisory titled “Advisory to All Nigerians Living in the Republic of South Africa,” citizens were urged to exercise caution, limit movement, avoid interactions with unfamiliar persons, and suspend socio-cultural activities to reduce the risk of becoming targets amid rising tensions. The circular also advised Nigerians to respect local laws and customs and refrain from posting inflammatory content on social media that could escalate the situation.
What began as a peaceful protest over the alleged installation of Solomon Eziko as Igwe Ndigbo quickly escalated. Videos and images of the coronation circulated widely, sparking anger among residents and civic groups. Protesters torched vehicles, vandalised properties, and clashed with law enforcement. Police reportedly deployed teargas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds, while fire services worked to contain the blazes.
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A man was stabbed during the unrest and taken to hospital. Authorities clarified that the victim was not linked to the demonstration, though some civic groups claimed one of their members was injured and also struck by a vehicle.
Several groups, including ActionSA, the Patriotic Alliance, and the civic movement March and March, joined traditional leaders in condemning the alleged coronation as illegal and unconstitutional.
- Athol Trollip, ActionSA Eastern Cape leader, said: “There is no constitutional provision for any foreigner, legal or illegal, to coronate themselves in the Eastern Cape. We support existing local kings, not Nigerian kings.”
- Steve Motale, Patriotic Alliance spokesperson, said: “We condemn this fake coronation. Even the Nigerian High Commissioner has denounced it.”
The Royal House of AbaThembu also denied involvement, calling social media claims linking King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo to the coronation false and misleading.
The unrest follows recent anti-migrant protests in South Africa, where residents demanded stricter immigration policies targeting Nigerians and other foreign nationals. Analysts say the protests reflect broader xenophobic tensions and concern over foreign influence on local traditional structures.
The Federal Government of Nigeria continues to monitor the situation closely, urging citizens in South Africa to remain law-abiding, cautious, and vigilant until stability returns.
Cars Torched as South Africans Protest Alleged Nigerian ‘Igbo King’ Coronation
metro
El-Rufai Alleges Plot to Arrest Brother to Force Negotiation
El-Rufai Alleges Plot to Arrest Brother to Force Negotiation
Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai has alleged that security operatives planned to arrest his elder brother, Bashir El-Rufai, if he returned to Nigeria for their mother’s burial — reportedly as a tactic to pressure him into negotiations.
In a video statement, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain said Bashir avoided attending the funeral to prevent detention. “My elder brother Bashir El-Rufai couldn’t make it because we learned there was a plan to arrest him… they believe if they get him, I will negotiate,” he revealed.
El-Rufai’s mother, Hajiya Umma El-Rufai, passed away in Cairo, Egypt, on Friday. Her remains were flown to Abuja and buried on Sunday. The burial coincided with El-Rufai’s ongoing legal troubles, including his arrest and detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) over allegations of corruption and money laundering.
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The former governor was arraigned before a Federal High Court in Kaduna on March 24 on a 10-count charge. His case was adjourned until March 31, 2026, for hearings on pending applications, including his bail request. He was granted temporary release from ICPC custody to attend his mother’s funeral.
Observers say El-Rufai’s claims highlight concerns over the alleged use of family members as leverage in political and legal disputes, sparking debate over the conduct of anti-graft agencies in Nigeria. Analysts also note the potential political implications as El-Rufai continues to assert his innocence and challenge the legal proceedings against him.
El-Rufai Alleges Plot to Arrest Brother to Force Negotiation
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