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Judging Izala Muslims On Extremism

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5 years ago

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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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JUST IN: FG Files 13 Count Charges Against Alleged Coup Plotters

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7 hours ago

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April 21, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Federal Government has filed a 13-count charge before the Federal High Court in Abuja against individuals accused of plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu. Among those named in the suit are a retired major general, a retired naval captain, a serving police inspector, and three other suspects.

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According to security sources, the coup was scheduled to be executed on Nigeria’s Independence Day. However, the plot was uncovered after preparations and plans were leaked, leading to its successful disruption.

The development prompted the Federal Government to cancel the Independence Day programme—a move described as highly unusual by political observers.

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BIKOBA Mourns EX-NFA Chairman, Ibrahim Galadima

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8 hours ago

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April 21, 2026

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The leadership, and the entire members of Birnin-Kudu Old Boys Association (BIKOBA) mourn the passing of the former president of the Association, and former Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, who died Saturday, the 18th of April 2026, after a protracted illness.

Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima, who died at the age of 78, was the fourth president of BIKOBA, having served two consecutive terms between 1993-1997, and being a member of ’71 class chapter of the Association.

Remarking on the passing of the elderstateman, President of BIKOBA, Alhaji Ja’afar Usman Muhammad (Turakin Gaya), described him as an astute football administrator and one of the most influential figures in Nigerian sports.
He said, after diligently serving BIKOBA as it’s fourth president, late Ibrahim Galadima had also served in various capacities at national and sub-national levels, as one time Commissioner of Information, Kano State while noting that his tenure as Chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (2002–2006), was full of success stories, culminating to the growth and develpoment of sporting sub sector in Nigeria.

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He similarly served with distinction as the Chairman of the Kano State Sports Commission, where he played a vital role in promoting sports at both grassroots and elite levels, said BIKOBA President.

“Being one of the founding fathers of Kano Pillars FC, late Galadima also laid a solid foundation for the club’s growth into a dominant force in Nigerian football, adding that, his legacy, leadership, and passion for the game will continue to be remembered in the history of the club”

The president, on behalf of the executive committee and entire members of BIKOBA, extends heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the deceased, his friends, the government, the good people of Kano State, as well as the entire Nigerian football community over the irreparable loss.

In a statement signed by National publicity secretary of the association Malam Mahmud Ibrahim Kwari said BIKOBA also prays that Almighty Allah grants late Ibrahim Galadima Aljannatul Firdaus, Ameen.

 

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President Tinubu Counters Police Academy in Kano, Establishes New Campus in Ogun

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23 hours ago

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April 20, 2026

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of a new campus of the Police Academy in Erinja, Yewa South Local Government Area in Ogun State.

A statement by Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President,
Information & Strategy, says President Tinubu also approved a special take-off grant of N15billion for the college.

The President’s approval was in fulfilment of the provisions of the Nigeria Police Academy (Establishment) Act, 2021, particularly with respect to the expansion of the Police Academy based in Wudil, Kano state, into multiple campuses across the country.

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The intervention fund will be sourced from the TetFund 2026 allocation to finance priority infrastructure, academic facilities, student accommodation, and core training assets.

A high-level consultative meeting involving the Minister of Police Affairs, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, officials of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Inspector-General of Police and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) recommended the siting of the new campus in Erinja.

The meeting considered student intake capacity, funding realities, academic quality assurance, and the long-term needs of the Nigerian Police Force, which is currently recruiting more men.

President Tinubu believes the expansion will strengthen institutional governance, modern policing education and national security.

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