Rtd Police Boss lampoons Northern Clerics: “Hate Sermons Fueling Extremism—Nigeria Must Act Now”

By Tgnews Reporter

Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Sheriff Abubakar Rabiu has urgently called on Nigerians to confront the rising tide of religious extremism, sharply criticizing certain Northern Islamic clerics for promoting intolerance and divisiveness through inflammatory preaching.

In a bold recent statement, the former Chief Security Officer to ex-Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako expressed deep concern over former U.S. President Donald Trump’s suggestion to deploy troops to Nigeria.

While describing the idea as potentially misguided, he insisted that Nigerians must prioritize solving homegrown problems especially religious extremism rather than inviting external intervention.

“Muslims in Northern Nigeria must begin censoring and stopping, at all government levels local governments, states, and federal those Islamic clerics who deliver vitriolic hate speeches during their sermons,” Rabiu declared.

He warned that such divisive preaching has not only polarized Muslims and Christians but has also played a direct role in the rise of extremist groups like Boko Haram.

Rabiu stressed personal responsibility in matters of faith: “No one should be compelled to practice what they do not believe in. Will anyone carry the sin of another to the grave? Absolutely not. So why isn’t the government monitoring the preaching of certain clerics, especially those from Gombe, Yobe, Kano, Kaduna, Sokoto, and Borno?”

He pointed out a striking double standard: many of these clerics are barred from preaching in countries like Saudi Arabia, Dubai, and Qatar due to their extreme views, yet they operate with little oversight in Nigeria. “Here, anyone with limited Islamic knowledge can publicly insult and demean our Christian brethren, and that is utterly absurd,” he said.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s past, Rabiu recalled the peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians in the 1970s and urged a return to that harmony. He cited examples from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Yemen as cautionary tales of nations destroyed by unchecked religious fundamentalism.

“Instead of blaming foreign powers, we must look inward and address the root causes that could invite military interventions,” he emphasized, calling for national unity and a cautious foreign policy to safeguard Nigeria’s sovereignty.

In his closing remarks, Rabiu praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as “a kind-hearted man and a good administrator.” Drawing from personal experience, he shared anecdotes from his time serving in the Lagos State Police Command as a Senior Security Officer (SSO), where he interacted with Tinubu and posted officers to his residence in Ikeja GRA (now Ikoyi).

“I can say I know Mr. President very well,” Rabiu stated. He recounted a security meeting at Government House, Alausa, Ikeja, where Tinubu directed support for his welfare as the youngest Head of Department in the command in 2002/2003.

He also mentioned receiving Tinubu’s GSM number during a 2011/2012 visit to Yola alongside former President Muhammadu Buhari, when Rabiu was assigned to serve them at the Yola International Airport Lounge for security reasons.

He further said one day during monthly security meeting in Governor’s office Alausa he saw me as the youngest Head of Department as the the Lagos State police Command signal officer and of his name;

“I reply him ASP Sheriff Abubakar Rabiu then from there he directed Major Phanox to be given me 2 drums of diesel and 2 drums of petrol every month and also N250,000 monthly as welfare

“I am confident that if Mr. President sees me today, he would recognize me 100%,” Rabiu concluded.