President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged religious and spiritual leaders across Nigeria to speak out consistently against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and the misuse of religion to justify violence.
Tinubu made the call on Sunday in Kano in a goodwill message delivered on his behalf by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, at the Grand Maulud of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tijani.
The President said clerics had an important role to play in confronting violence, extremism and the manipulation of religious beliefs for destructive purposes.
He urged religious institutions and their networks to strengthen advocacy for peace education, religious literacy and scholarship, while promoting the moral development of young Nigerians.
“Your voices must be raised consistently against the murder of innocent people, against terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and the misuse of religion to justify cruelty,” Tinubu said in the message.
He also called on religious leaders to use their influence to promote justice, responsibility, compassion and peaceful approaches to resolving grievances.
According to the President, the influence of religious leaders extends beyond places of worship and can help shape attitudes and values among young people, particularly at a time when Nigeria continues to confront security challenges.
The call comes amid continuing concerns over terrorism, banditry and kidnapping in parts of the country. In recent days, security agencies have carried out major operations against criminal groups, including the rescue of more than 300 abducted persons in a coordinated operation in the Kainji Lake National Park area.
Tinubu’s latest appeal is also consistent with his administration’s broader emphasis on working with religious leaders to promote peace and tolerance. In July, the President said interfaith dialogue remained essential to addressing Nigeria’s security challenges and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to partnering with religious leaders.
The President has repeatedly condemned the use of religion to fuel violence and has called on Nigerians to reject messages that promote hatred and division.
He urged religious leaders to continue using their platforms to strengthen national unity and encourage Nigerians to resolve differences peacefully.
The administration has maintained that defeating insecurity requires not only military and law-enforcement measures but also cooperation from communities, religious institutions and other stakeholders.
Tinubu’s latest appeal therefore places religious leaders at the centre of efforts to counter extremist narratives and discourage the exploitation of religious sentiments to promote violence in Nigeria.
