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NSCIA Rejects Claims Linking Nigerian Muslims to Banditry, Kidnapping

Published

3 months ago

June 12, 2026

Borgu attacks: NSCIA demands urgent rescue of abducted Muslim worshippers

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

Related Topics:banditry Kidnapping Muslims

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One Killed, Two Rescued as Two-Storey Building Collapses During Demolition in Lagos

Published

6 minutes ago

September 10, 2026

Trends Admin

One Killed, Two Rescued as Two-Storey Building Collapses During Demolition in Lagos

LASEMA confirms incident at Aboru, Alimosho; urges compliance with building regulations

One person has been killed and two others rescued after a two-storey building undergoing manual demolition collapsed in the Aboru area of Lagos State. The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) , Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday. According to him, the collapse occurred at about 12:56 a.m. on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at No. 42, Governors Road, Aboru, in the Alimosho Local Government Area of the state.

Oke-Osanyintolu stated that the Alpha Eagle Response Team of LASEMA was immediately dispatched from its Cappa, Oshodi Response Unit after receiving a distress call. The team arrived at the scene within the projected response time and confirmed that workers were trapped beneath the rubble. “On arrival, first responders confirmed that the structure had collapsed during demolition activities, with workers trapped under the debris,” Oke-Osanyintolu said. He noted that the agency activated the state’s Emergency Response Plan and took charge of the rescue operation, coordinating other emergency responders at the scene.

The LASEMA boss said two adult males were rescued alive from the rubble and given first aid by personnel of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) before they were taken to a nearby health facility for further medical attention. “Through a coordinated search and rescue operation, two adult males were extricated alive from the rubble and were promptly administered life-saving first aid by personnel of the Lagos State Ambulance Service, LASAMBUS, before being moved to a nearby health facility for further medical attention,” Oke-Osanyintolu said. He, however, said one adult male was recovered dead from beneath the collapsed structure. “Sadly, one adult male was recovered dead from beneath the collapsed structure. The agency commiserates with the family of the deceased and prays for the quick recovery of the injured,” Oke-Osanyintolu noted.

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Oke-Osanyintolu said the rescue operation was being carried out jointly by LASEMA, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and LASAMBUS . He added that the area had been cordoned off to protect residents and allow rescue workers to operate safely. According to the LASEMA statement, community leaders and security agencies were also collaborating with emergency responders to facilitate access and ensure that the operation was concluded safely.

The Permanent Secretary urged residents and developers to comply with building regulations and engage only certified professionals for demolition and construction work. “We urge members of the public and developers to adhere strictly to building regulations and to engage only certified professionals for demolition and construction activities,” he stated. He also urged residents to promptly report suspected unsafe building or demolition activities through the 767 and 112 toll-free emergency numbers.

Under Lagos State regulations, developers must obtain a demolition permit from the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA) before commencing any demolition work. The permit application must be accompanied by documents including a copy of the existing building plan permit, a certified true copy of the title document with a survey plan, photographs of the existing structure, and a sworn affidavit indemnifying the government of any litigation. After obtaining the demolition permit, developers must notify the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) of their intention to commence demolition. They are also required to engage a registered civil or structural engineer to supervise the demolition work and ensure safety precautions are observed. Additionally, developers must obtain an insurance policy covering all risks associated with the demolition. It was not immediately clear whether the demolition at No. 42 Governors Road had the required approval or regulatory supervision.

Oke-Osanyintolu said the Lagos State Government remained committed to improving emergency response across the state, including the decentralisation of response units to achieve a 10-minute response time. According to him, the measures were aimed at ensuring that emergency responders could reach incident scenes promptly and save more lives.

The incident comes less than three months after a three-storey shopping complex collapsed in the Alakija area of Lagos State, killing at least nine people and leaving 27 others injured . The building, located on Old Ojo Road by Alakija Bus Stop, off the Lagos-Badagry Expressway in Satellite Town, collapsed at about 11:37 a.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2026, prompting a large-scale emergency response involving multiple agencies . According to reports, the rescued victims sustained varying degrees of injuries and were taken to hospitals for treatment. Preliminary reports indicated that most of the victims were shop owners and customers who had begun their daily business activities.

The General Manager of LASBCA, Mrs. Florence Gbaye, subsequently announced that the agency had begun an investigation into the collapse, including a secondary structural analysis to determine the cause. She urged Lagos residents and community leaders to promptly report distressed, abandoned or suspicious buildings to the agency for immediate intervention. “Building safety is everyone’s responsibility. We encourage residents to immediately notify LASBCA of any building showing signs of distress or any incident in their environment so that necessary action can be taken before lives and property are endangered,” she said.

Building collapses occur frequently in Nigeria, with experts often attributing such incidents to aging structures, violations of building regulations, substandard construction materials and inadequate regulatory enforcement. The Lagos State Government has repeatedly emphasised the importance of compliance with building regulations and the engagement of certified professionals for all construction and demolition activities to prevent unnecessary loss of lives.

One Killed, Two Rescued as Two-Storey Building Collapses During Demolition in Lagos

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Akpabio Denies Anti-North Remark, Petitions DSS Over Viral Graphic

Published

26 minutes ago

September 10, 2026

Trends Admin

Abductions, Killings Are Sponsored to Undermine Tinubu’s Administration - Akpabio

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio

Akpabio Denies Anti-North Remark, Petitions DSS Over Viral Graphic

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has petitioned the Department of State Services (DSS) over a purported anti-North statement attributed to him and circulated on Facebook and other digital platforms.

Akpabio, through his Chief of Staff, Chinedu Akubueze, asked the intelligence agency to urgently investigate what he described as the “creation and coordinated dissemination” of a false, inflammatory and divisive statement allegedly made by him.

The petition followed the circulation of a graphic bearing Akpabio’s photograph and his designation as President of the Senate. The graphic attributed to him the statement: “Northerners, you will be the ones to suffer the most, if you allow Tinubu to lose the election.”

Akpabio has denied making the statement, insisting that the quotation was fabricated and that there was no credible evidence linking him to it.

According to the petition, no date, venue, speech, interview, video, audio recording, official statement or credible news report has been produced to authenticate the purported comment.

“The President of the Senate did not make this statement,” the petition stated, adding that the graphic contained no identifiable publisher or verifiable source.

Akpabio’s office alleged that the material appeared to have been deliberately manufactured to deceive the public, provoke regional resentment against the Senate President and portray him as threatening people from Northern Nigeria.

The petition also alleged that a preliminary examination of publicly accessible Facebook records identified some of the earliest traceable accounts that amplified the disputed graphic.

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One of those named was Abdullai Musa, who allegedly posted the material in a Facebook group identified as Sheik Muhammad bin Uthman Group 24.

The petition also identified Uzoma Chilaka, whose Facebook post allegedly reproduced the graphic alongside commentary attributed to Boniface Uzoma Chilaka.

It further referred to Engineer Ibrahim Umar Ammar, whose verified Facebook account allegedly reproduced the graphic and similar commentary.

Akpabio’s office, however, stressed that the individuals mentioned in the petition should not be presumed guilty of creating or circulating the alleged false statement.

Instead, they were described as “material persons of interest” whose alleged early and substantial involvement in sharing the material could provide investigators with information needed to establish its origin.

The petition urged the DSS to investigate the publication records, devices and communications of relevant persons and establish the provenance of the disputed image.

It also asked the security agency to determine the identity of the person who created the graphic, its original uploader, possible sponsors and intermediaries, as well as the network through which the material was allegedly distributed.

Akpabio’s media team separately challenged those circulating the allegation to provide evidence that he made the purported statement.

His media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, described the allegation as a “complete fabrication” and said those behind it should produce evidence such as a video, audio recording, speech, transcript, interview, press release or credible news report showing where and when Akpabio made the alleged comment.

The controversy comes amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, with social media playing an increasingly prominent role in political campaigns, commentary and the dissemination of claims about politicians.

The alleged statement has attracted particular attention because of its reference to Northern Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the 2027 presidential election, potentially giving the claim a strong regional and political dimension.

A review by FactWatch also found no credible evidence that Akpabio made the alleged statement. The fact-checking platform reported that it could not establish the quotation through an authentic speech, recording or credible contemporary news report.

Akpabio’s latest action therefore shifts the matter from a social media controversy to a formal request for a DSS investigation into the origin and circulation of the disputed material.

The Senate President’s office wants investigators to establish whether the graphic was deliberately fabricated, who produced it, how it was distributed and whether there was any coordinated effort behind its circulation.

The petition also seeks appropriate action against anyone found to have deliberately created or disseminated the material in violation of Nigerian law.

For now, Akpabio maintains that he did not make the alleged anti-North statement, while the people identified in the petition remain persons of interest and have not been established as guilty of any offence.

The outcome of any investigation by the DSS will determine the origin of the disputed graphic and whether anyone will face further legal action over its alleged creation or dissemination.

Akpabio Denies Anti-North Remark, Petitions DSS Over Viral Graphic

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Police Arrest Woman Over Fake OPay Shutdown Notice

Published

39 minutes ago

September 10, 2026

Trends Admin

Hafsat Abubakar

Police Arrest Woman Over Fake OPay Shutdown Notice

The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) has arrested a 27-year-old woman, Hafsat Abubakar, over the alleged creation and circulation of a fake document claiming that fintech company OPay Nigeria Limited was shutting down its operations.

The arrest followed an investigation launched after OPay Digital Services Limited petitioned the police over the fraudulent document, which circulated widely on social media and caused concerns among some customers.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Anietie Iniedu, disclosed the development during a press briefing at the NPF-NCCC in Abuja on Wednesday.

Iniedu said the police received a formal petition from OPay on August 31, 2026, through the office of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Abuja.

According to him, the company requested an urgent investigation to identify, trace and apprehend those responsible for creating and circulating what it described as a fraudulent document falsely presented as an official communication from OPay.

Following the petition, the National Cybercrime Centre deployed digital forensic tools to analyse the document and establish its source.

The police said the forensic investigation traced the material to a post on an X account identified as @haifah_er_abba, which was allegedly registered and operated by Abubakar.

Police operatives subsequently arrested Abubakar on September 4, 2026.

The suspect was identified as a 27-year-old graduate of Library and Information Science from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

The investigation centres on a fabricated document titled “Official Note”, which falsely claimed that OPay would stop processing transactions and account-related services indefinitely from September 1, 2026.

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The fake notice reportedly urged customers to withdraw or transfer their funds ahead of the purported shutdown, potentially creating panic among users of the digital financial services platform.

OPay moved quickly to dismiss the claim, assuring customers that the company had no plan to shut down its operations.

The fintech company described the purported shutdown notice as completely false and urged customers to disregard the information, stressing that its services remained fully operational.

OPay also highlighted several inconsistencies in the document as evidence that it was not an authentic company communication.

Among the discrepancies were the use of an outdated OPay logo, a misspelling of the company’s name and a layout that differed from the format used in its official communications.

The company subsequently escalated the matter to security agencies, confirming that it was working with the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force to identify the source of the false information and those involved in its circulation.

OPay’s Chief Legal Counsel, Akinfolabi Rokosu, had also warned that individuals who deliberately disseminated false information about the company could face legal consequences.

The company said the false publication had the potential to cause unnecessary alarm among customers and negatively affect its business and reputation.

The police investigation has now led to the arrest of Abubakar, with the NPF-NCCC saying the case highlights the growing threat posed by digitally fabricated information.

The Force said false information involving financial institutions and fintech companies could have serious consequences, including public panic, financial disruption and reputational damage.

The police therefore urged Nigerians to exercise caution before sharing information obtained from social media, particularly claims concerning banks, fintech companies, government agencies and other critical institutions.

The NPF-NCCC advised members of the public to verify sensitive information through official channels before acting on or reposting it online.

The police said the investigation was still ongoing and assured that anyone found culpable would face prosecution after the conclusion of the investigation.

The development comes after OPay continued its operations beyond the September 1 date mentioned in the fake notice, further confirming that the purported OPay shutdown was not genuine.

Customers have consequently been advised to rely on OPay’s verified communication channels for information concerning its services and operations.