Tinubu to African Clerics: Speak up against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry

By Tolu Temidire

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged religious and spiritual leaders across Africa to intensify their campaign against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and the exploitation of religion to justify violence, saying no genuine service to God can be achieved through the destruction of innocent lives.

Tinubu gave the charge on Sunday in Kano in a goodwill message delivered on his behalf by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume, at the Grand Maulud of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tijani, RTA.

Addressing the World Khalifa of the Tijjaniyya Order, Islamic scholars, spiritual leaders and adherents from Nigeria and other countries, the President said religious leaders had a critical responsibility to confront violence, extremism and the manipulation of faith for destructive purposes.

He urged religious institutions and networks to strengthen advocacy for peace education, religious literacy, scholarship and the moral upbringing of young people, while promoting justice, responsibility, compassion and peaceful resolution of grievances.

“Your voices must be raised consistently against the murder of innocent people, against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and the misuse of religion to justify cruelty.
“Your institutions and networks must become stronger in the advocacy for peace education, religious literacy, scholarship and the formation of upright young men and women,” Tinubu said.

The President also urged religious leaders to remind political leaders of their obligations to justice, responsibility and compassion, while educating citizens that legitimate grievances must not be used as justification for lawlessness or violence.

“Above all, our spiritual fathers must continue to teach that no genuine service to Allah is advanced by destroying the innocent human life that Allah has made sacred,” he added.

Tinubu said the Maulud was being held at a critical period when societies across the world were facing conflicts, uncertainty, climate and economic shocks, violent extremism, terrorism, transnational crimes and the dangerous manipulation of identity and religion.

Citing a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees report, the President said 117.8 million people were forcibly displaced globally at the end of 2025, stressing that the scale of the challenges facing humanity had made the intervention of spiritual leaders increasingly important.

According to him, spiritual leaders “guard the frontiers of conscience” through their ability to heal wounds, resolve grievances and help dissolve hatred and bitterness.
He said the Tijjaniyya community, with its extensive spiritual networks across West Africa, North Africa and beyond, possessed significant moral influence that could be deployed to promote reconciliation, counter violent extremism, guide young people and support humanitarian efforts across the Sahel and wider African region.

Tinubu reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to working with religious and traditional institutions to deepen tolerance, counter misinformation and identity-based divisions, strengthen grassroots peacebuilding and promote peaceful coexistence.

He further stressed that Nigeria’s strategic position at the intersection of West Africa, the Sahel, the Lake Chad Basin, the Gulf of Guinea and the wider Atlantic world made the country’s peace and stability critical to the wider region.

“Our position means that peace in Nigeria has consequences far beyond Nigeria. It also means that religious communities with deep transnational connections, such as the Tijjaniyya, can be valuable partners in building an architecture of social peace that complements the work of governments and regional institutions,” he said.

The President said such collaboration should harness the ethical values of religion, including truthfulness, compassion, justice, restraint, service and respect for the sanctity of human life, for the common good.

Tinubu also paid tribute to the late Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, whose foundation played a key role in organising the Maulud, describing him as one of the towering Islamic figures whose absence was deeply felt at the gathering.

He recalled that following the scholar’s death in November 2025, he described him as “a teacher, a father and a voice of moderation and reason, and as an advocate of peace and piety.”

The President said the most enduring way to honour Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi was to preserve his legacy of Qur’anic scholarship, moral instruction, devotion to Allah, respect for learning, peaceful coexistence and concern for the wellbeing of society.

He welcomed the World Khalifa of the Tijjaniyya Order and other scholars and spiritual leaders who travelled from Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, Egypt and other countries to attend the Maulud.

Tinubu expressed appreciation to the Supreme Council of the Tijjaniyya, Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi Foundation, Kano State Government, traditional rulers, security and emergency services, organisers and volunteers for their contributions to the successful hosting of the event.