A retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Sheriff Abubakar Rabiu, has sparked intense debate across Northern Nigeria following the circulation of a fiery open letter addressed to Islamic clerics. The letter, which has gone viral across mosques and online platforms, accuses some religious preachers of fueling division and radicalization through inflammatory sermons.
Rabiu alleged that “a section of Northern Islamic clerics” continues to deliver “vituperative, inciting and dangerously divisive messages” that portray Christians as enemies — a trend he warns is damaging Nigeria’s fragile unity.
According to him, sermons branding Christians as “Arna,” “Kafurai,” or “infidels destined for hell” contradict the teachings of Islam and have contributed to violent extremism in the region. “This is not Islam. This is madness. And this madness gave birth to Boko Haram,” he wrote.
Street Begging and Youth Radicalization
Rabiu also linked the rising number of out-of-school and street-begging children (Almajirai) to the ease with which extremist groups recruit foot soldiers.
“An idle mind is the devil’s workshop… Those street children you see begging today are tomorrow’s recruits for any terrorist franchise that promises them paradise for killing ‘infidels’,” he stated.
Calls for Stronger Legislation
The retired police chief issued a direct challenge to President Bola Tinubu, urging the Federal Government, Northern governors and local councils to enact strict laws that criminalise:
- Using derogatory terms like “arne” or “kafir” from religious pulpits
- Child street begging (Almajiri)
- Hate speech disguised as religious preaching
Rabiu argued that such measures would demonstrate Nigeria’s seriousness to international partners and help prevent the type of extremism that devastated countries like Afghanistan and Iraq.
