Commission warns remarks could incite religious division ahead of 2027 elections
The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has condemned a viral video of Islamic cleric Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir and is calling on security agencies to arrest and prosecute him over alleged hate speech and incitement.
In a statement released in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu, said the remarks made by the cleric were capable of fueling religious intolerance, hatred, and disunity in a country that is already navigating sensitive ethnic and religious dynamics.
The Commission specifically asked the Inspector General of Police, the Department of State Services, DSS, and other relevant law enforcement agencies to immediately take action against the cleric.
According to the NHRC, the video currently circulating online contains statements that promote discriminatory politics against adherents of certain religions. The Commission also cited the use of the Hausa word “kafirai”, meaning “infidels”, as particularly troubling.
Chief Ojukwu said such language runs contrary to Nigeria’s constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion, equality, and the right to dignity of all citizens.
“The statements attributed to Sheikh Jingir are divisive and have the potential to incite hatred and violence among different religious groups,” Ojukwu stated. “At a time when Nigerians should be consolidating peace and unity, utterances that seek to dehumanize others based on religion are not only dangerous but also punishable under our laws.”
The NHRC boss further argued that the remarks violate the principles of peaceful coexistence that have kept Nigeria’s multi-religious society together, and warned that if left unchecked, they could trigger unrest in parts of the country.
Beyond the demand for prosecution, the Commission used the opportunity to send a broader warning to religious leaders, traditional rulers, and politicians.
The NHRC urged them to refrain from using platforms, sermons, or political rallies to spread messages of division, especially as the country begins to look toward preparations for the 2027 general elections.
“Religious leaders wield enormous influence. With that influence comes responsibility,” the statement read. “We call on all clerics, monarchs, and political actors to be mindful of their language and to promote messages that unite rather than divide Nigerians.”
The Commission added that it would be stepping up monitoring of public statements and campaign activities in the lead-up to the elections to ensure that the rights of all Nigerians are protected.
Nigeria has a long history of managing tensions between its Muslim-majority north and Christian-majority south, as well as within communities themselves. Security agencies and civil society groups have repeatedly warned that hate speech, whether online or in sermons, is one of the major triggers of communal violence.
The Cybercrimes Act, the Penal Code, and other laws provide for penalties against persons found guilty of incitement and hate speech. However, enforcement has often been criticized as selective.
Sheikh Jingir is a prominent Islamic scholar based in Jos, Plateau State, and has a large following across northern Nigeria. As of the time of filing this report, he had not publicly responded to the NHRC’s statement.
The NHRC does not have prosecutorial powers itself. Its role is to investigate, document, and make recommendations to relevant authorities. The decision to arrest or charge Sheikh Jingir now rests with the Police and the DSS.
Legal experts say that for a prosecution to succeed, authorities will need to establish that the statements meet the legal threshold for incitement under Nigerian law, and that they were made with the intent to cause public disorder.
For now, the Commission says it will continue to engage stakeholders to promote tolerance, and will release further updates on its monitoring of pre-election activities.
“National cohesion must not be sacrificed for popularity or political gain,” Ojukwu concluded. “We must all be accountable for the words we speak.”
