Sultan, Muslim leaders tackle social media abuse, rising insecurity

From Noah Ebije, Kaduna

Northern Nigeria’s top Islamic leaders and lawmakers have raised the alarm over the worsening insecurity in the region and the dangerous misuse of social media, warning that the country is heading toward chaos unless urgent steps are taken.

At a special summit of Northern Ulamas in Kaduna, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, spoke through the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, called for urgent regulation of social media, which he said is fueling division and conflict.

“This is the time to unite the Muslim Ummah,” the Sultan warned, urging clerics to preach peace and national unity in line with Islamic teachings.

Also speaking at the summit in an interview with newsmen, House Majority Leader, Hon. Alhassan Ado Doguwa, stressed the need for Islamic leaders to partner with lawmakers to shape policies that promote peace and good governance.

“Security is everyone’s business,” Doguwa said. “We in the National Assembly will support any initiative that unites our people and upholds Islamic values.”

Also, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, representing Zamfara West, echoed these concerns, pointing out that insecurity has deep roots in the North, especially in areas rich in mineral resources.

“Insecurity started in Muslim-dominated areas,” he said. “We can’t blame the government alone. The solution lies in our hands — in unity, action, and honest dialogue.”

Yari added that the economic imbalance between the North and South must be addressed, warning that “we’re sleeping in our rooms and expecting to become billionaires.”

On the burning issue of social media, Yari didn’t mince words:

“Social media doesn’t spare anyone. Rich or poor, we are all suffering from its abuse. It’s time we regulate it and use it wisely like other countries.”

Prominent Kaduna-based cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, called for dialogue among all Islamic sects to tackle the challenges of poverty and banditry, which he said are being exploited by external forces.

“Banditry is being fuelled by outsiders who are after our mineral wealth,” Gumi said. “They use uneducated herders as pawns in a bigger game. We need to talk to each other and stop this ourselves.”

Gumi emphasised that existing laws should be updated to tackle social media defamation without silencing free speech.

“This summit is not against anyone,” he clarified, “but about the unity and progress of Nigeria.”

The summit ended with a strong call for inter-sect cooperation, peaceful dialogue, and religious leadership in addressing the North’s growing insecurity and economic woes.