The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), on Tuesday, urged the Federal Government to immediately arrest and prosecute Islamic cleric, Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir over comments the Commission described as hate speech and incitement to religious hatred and potential violence.
The Commission, in a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Chief Tony Ojukwu, SAN, said it condemned in strong terms “the hateful and inciting remarks” it said were made by the cleric in a viral video on Sunday.
It said the Commission was deeply concerned by a viral video in which the cleric allegedly advocated religiously exclusive politics ahead of the 2027 elections and referred to non-Muslims as “infidels”.
The rights body described the statements as direct attack on the principles of equality, non- discrimination, and peaceful coexistence guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.
“The Commission finds these remarks to be hate speech and incitement to religious hatred and potential violence. At this time when we are preparing for another election, such utterances are reckless and dangerous.
“They serve no purpose other than to divide Nigerians along religious lines and set citizens against one another.
“We cannot afford to look away. If we fail to speak and act now, we embolden both Christian and Muslim clerics and other influential persons to make worse statements in the coming months. That path leads only to crisis” the Commission said.
Ojukwu urged the the Inspector-General of Police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other relevant authorities to take immediate action, stressing that prosecution should apply regardless of the cleric’s status or political affiliation.
The NHRC also warned religious leaders, politicians and traditional rulers against divisive rhetoric capable of deepening religious tensions ahead of the 2027 elections.
-9News Nigeria.
