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Judging Izala Muslims On Extremism

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Na’Allah Muhammad Zagga

I don’t agree with the argument that every Muslim inspired by Wahhabist ideology of the Sunni branch of Islam is a automatically a violent extremist that believes in the Boko Haram campaign of indiscriminate violence innocent people, Muslims and non-Muslims. I don’t also accept the argument that every Izala sympathiser is automatically sympathetic to Boko Haram poisonous and violent ideas. This assumption is not supported by any compelling evidence.

Sheikh Albani Zaria and Sheikh Jafar Adam paid with their lives for criticising and opposing the Boko Haram violent ideology. Dr. Ahmad Gummi also escaped death with the skin of his teeth for opposing Boko Haram. Being an Izala member doesn’t automatically make everyone else within the group a sympathiser of Boko Haram. It’s like making every Muslim guilty by association because violent extremists happen to be Muslims. Again, being a devout Muslim doesn’t automatically make one a violent extremist. The two terms are not synonymous.

I don’t like conspiracy theories that rely on superficial assumptions. The fact that Whahabism inspires today’s violent extremists doesn’t make every Wahhabist a terrorist or a terrorism supporter. Of course, 15 of the 19 September 11 terrorists were Saudi citizens, but that is not enough to declare every Saudi guilty by association. Why didn’t the Bush administration declare war on Saudi Arabia because most of the 9/11 terrorists were Saudis? It couldn’t have done so because not Saudis and not all Wahhabists should be held accountable for the action of fringe Muslim groups, regardless of the ideology that motivates them.

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Former President Bush didn’t declare war on Afghanistan because he believed all Muslims were responsible for 9/11. He launched military attacks on the Taliban rulers because they rejected US demands to hand over Osama Bin Laden for giving his support to the perpetrators of the 9/11 atrocity. Bush acted within international law. You can’t harbour my enemy that caused me massive harm without being guilty of hostile behaviour, posture or action. So, Bush didn’t go to Afghanistan because he was convinced that every Muslim should be responsible for the action of violent extremists inspired by Wahhabist ideology. Majority of the victims of terrorism were Muslims, regardless of which ideology motivated the attackers.

As you can’t hold every white person accountable for the violent actions of white nationalists, it’s also wrong and unfair to blame Muslims for the consequences of Wahhabist teachings. No white person should be judged by the action of Adolf Hitler. Conjectures, coincidences and assumptions shouldn’t be presented as gospel truth, especially when the perceived truth is merely a superficial effort to pass a guilty verdict on particular believers because of the ideology of any group. That Mohammed Yusuf, the Boko Haram founder, was an Izala sect member doesn’t mean all Izala followers agree with his activities and teachings. Evil has amazing fascination; that is why even bad guys attract gullible followers like a moth to the flame.

Na’Allah Muhammad Zagga is a public affairs commentator

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Breaking:President Tinubu Appoints Special Adviser On Security

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has approved the appointment of Major General Adeyinka A. Fadewa (Rtd) as Special Adviser on Homeland Security, in recognition of his exceptional record of service, strategic expertise, and outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s national security architecture.

 

In a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume, CON, which was issued by the Permanent Secretary General Services Office, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, mni, the appointment underscores the commitment of the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthening internal security coordination, enhancing intelligence-driven operations, and deepening inter-agency collaboration in addressing emerging security threats across the country.

 

Major General Fadewa (Rtd) is a highly decorated retired General with over three decades of distinguished military and intelligence service spanning national security strategy, intelligence fusion, counter-terrorism operations, and international security diplomacy. His career reflects a rare blend of operational excellence, strategic foresight, and institutional leadership in safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity and national interests.

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As Principal General Staff Officer to the National Security Adviser at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) from 2015 to 2021, he played a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s modern intelligence coordination framework. He spearheaded the establishment of the Intelligence Fusion Centre (IFC) at ONSA, creating an integrated multi-agency intelligence platform that brought together the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Armed Forces to improve national threat assessment and strategic response coordination.

 

Following his retirement from active military service, Major General Fadewa (Rtd) served as Senior Research Fellow at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja, where he continued to provide strategic thought leadership on policing, civil-security cooperation, and national security reform. His scholarly contributions include the widely acclaimed monograph titled “Policing and National Security in Nigeria,” which offers practical frameworks for strengthening civil-security collaboration.

 

President Tinubu expressed confidence that the appointment of Major General Fadewa (Rtd) will further enhance the administration’s efforts toward achieving a safer and more secure Nigeria through improved coordination of homeland security initiatives, intelligence integration, and proactive risk management.

 

He also urged him to deploy his wealth of experience, professionalism, and strategic insight in advancing national security objectives and supporting the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

 

E- Signed:

Chris Ugwuegbulam

Head, Information & Public Relations

11th May, 2026.

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Governor Yusuf Approves 200 Riyals Support, Ihram for Each Kano Pilgrim

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Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved a cash support of 200 Saudi Riyals and Ihram to each intending pilgrim from the state for the 2026 hajj exercise.

 

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, represented by his Deputy, Murtala Sule Garo, disclosed this on Sunday during the launch of the practical demonstration session organised by the Kano State pilgrims Welfare Board for prospective pilgrims in Kano.

 

Speaking at the event, Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo explained that the exercise was organized to educate, inform, spiritually prepare the intending pilgrims for the Hajj rites from Ihram to Tawaf, from Sa’i to Arafat, from Muzdalifah to Mina and the symbolic stoning of the Jamarat.

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He stated that the administration of Abba Kabir Yusuf remains committed to the welfare and well-being of all the pilgrims from the state.

 

Garo said, “This demonstration is a vital aspect of Hajj preparation. Hajj is not merely a journey of travel; it is a sacred act of worship that requires adequate knowledge, discipline, patience and sincere devotion to Allah.”

 

Garo further conveyed the Governor’s goodwill gesture to the pilgrims.

 

He added, “I also wish to give the good tidings to our pilgrims that the Kano State Government has approved the sum of 200 Saudi Riyals and Ihram to each and every intending pilgrim as a compliment from His Excellency, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.”

 

The Deputy Governor also revealed that the administration has secured conducive accommodation arrangements to ensure the comfort and convenience of the pilgrims throughout their stay in Saudi Arabia.

 

According to him, the state government has equally deployed well-trained medical personnel to complement healthcare services provided by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), saying qualified Islamic scholars have also been selected to provide spiritual guidance during the exercise.

 

He urged the intending pilgrims to be worthy ambassadors of Kano State and Nigeria by obeying the laws of Saudi Arabia and conducting themselves with discipline, humility, and responsibility throughout the pilgrimage.

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6 Kano Central Senatorial Aspirants Withdraw for Senator Ibrahim Shekarau

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Six Kano Central senatorial aspirants have withdrawn for Senator Ibrahim Shekarau in the forthcoming 2027 general election.

One of the senatorial aspirants and a former Kano State Head of Service, Alhaji Usman Bala Muhammad, stated this while addressing journalists at Aminu Kano House in Abuja.

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Those that Withdraw for Malam Ibrahim Shekarau are Dr Muhammad Zango,Alhaji Danyaro Yakasai,Usman Bala Muhammad ,Shaaban Ibrahim Sharada and Shehu Isah Direba.

 

The aspirants have already purchased their nominations forms and submitted to APC secretariat before they were called for a consensus by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

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