“Whoever Preaches To Divide Muslims,  Divide Muslims And Christians, Should Be Arrested” — Bago Orders

Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State has directed that anyone using religious preaching to sow division among Muslims or between Muslims and Christians should be arrested, warning that the state will not tolerate messages capable of inciting discord.

Speaking in Hausa during a meeting with traditional rulers, Fulani leaders and other stakeholders, the governor said religious preaching must promote peace and unity rather than hatred.

“Whoever preaches to divide Muslims, or to divide Muslims and Christians, should be arrested, and we will take them to prison,” Bago declared.

He also tasked traditional rulers with regulating religious preaching in their domains, saying: “This Emirate should set boundaries for our preachers.”

The governor accused some preachers of exploiting religion to cause disunity, adding: “Lakurawa come and create trouble among you in the name of preaching, but they are just lying. When they were born, it was Salatul Fatih that was practiced.

He added, “Shehu Usman Danfodio is the man who laid the foundation for Islam here, yet they are against him. Which books have they read, and where did they study?”

Beyond religious harmony, Bago appealed to Fulani community leaders to work with security agencies in identifying criminal elements allegedly hiding in forests across the state.

“My relatives, I will not be afraid of you; I had better tell you this. Whoever gets kidnapped in the bush and is later released will say it was Fulanis who kidnapped him,” he said.

“So, you should warn your children who are in the bush to return so that we can live peacefully. There is no way people can be kidnapped and made to pay ransom without expecting them to be angry with you,” he urged, stressing  “People are angry with Fulanis. No one is stopping you from grazing, going to school, or staying peacefully, yet you know your children are doing bad things to people. Even if they are not caught, you will eventually face the consequences.”

The governor said growing public frustration over insecurity was fuelled by the failure of some community members to report criminal elements, including armed men allegedly entering the state from neighbouring Zamfara State. 

He urged Fulani leaders to disown criminals in their midst and assist security agencies with useful information rather than shielding them.

Bago also warned farmers against cultivating crops along government roads, saying he had ordered an end to the practice.

“Between the main government road and the power poles, where no farmer is supposed to plant, I have given an order that if any farmer plants between the main road and the power poles, you should let the animals eat the crops and arrest the farmer,” Bago ordered.

“You have your own designated land, planting close to the main road only shows you are looking for trouble,” the governor pointed out.

He further cautioned vigilante groups against exceeding their mandate, urging them to concentrate on protecting border communities and supporting security agencies instead of taking the law into their own hands.