‘Nigerian Christians are infidels’ – NHRC demands arrest of Sheikh Jingir over hate speech

The National Human Rights Commission has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Izala national chairman Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir over remarks urging Muslims to support a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket ahead of 2027, describing the cleric’s statements as hate speech and religious incitement.

In a statement by Executive Secretary Tony Ojukwu, reported by Peoples Gazette, the commission directed the Inspector-General of Police and DSS Director-General to act promptly. “These remarks serve no purpose other than to divide Nigerians along religious lines,” Ojukwu said.

Jingir had declared at a Kano mass wedding: “My candidate is Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” while urging Muslims to demonstrate their numerical strength at the polls. He has since defended his remarks as religiously motivated, expressing no regrets.

The commission warned that failure to act now would embolden further divisive rhetoric ahead of the 2027 general elections.