Leaders of the Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), Osogbo branch, have identified the Almajiri system, lack of compulsory education, and religious extremism among a minority of Muslims in Northern Nigeria as major factors fueling banditry, terrorism, and general insecurity in the country. They made this known as the society prepares to mark its 25th creation anniversary.
Press conference highlights
Addressing a press conference to herald the anniversary activities, some leaders of the society in Osogbo fielded questions from journalists and proffered solutions to pockets of religion-motivated violence and insecurity in the North.
Alhaji Tajudeen Adisa Jimoh, Osogbo branch chairman of NASFAT, stated that the religious tolerance exhibited by Islamic faithful in the South has been responsible for the relative peace in the zone. He added that peaceful coexistence has made it difficult for banditry to thrive in the South. Jimoh described Islam as a religion of peace, noting that its adherents are expected to shun religious extremism and fanaticism that could promote violence.
“Nobody should kill in the name of practising Islam. Islam is a religion of peace, and it shows in the way we tolerate each other in the South. In our families here, we have both Muslims and Christians cohabiting peacefully in the same family. Others should emulate it,” Jimoh said.
Factors encouraging violence
Prof. Moshood Shittu, chairman of the NASFAT 25th anniversary planning committee, reeled out factors that encourage religious violence and insecurity in the North. He blamed the Almajiri system, lack of free and compulsory education, and the existence of a “tiny number of extremists.”
“One of the problems in the North is the Almajiri system, where parents park their children for others to take care of at an early stage. You know it doesn’t happen here (South); most parents are responsible for their children’s upbringing. Lack of education is also another reason. What I will advise government is that they should make education free, accessible, and compulsory like it was done in the olden days. I want to say it with fact that the tiny minority are always the extremists. The majority of people in the North are peace-loving. But when you have one extremist among 50 people, it can destabilise a lot of things. So, that’s some of the reasons for this banditry and terrorism you are seeing,” Shittu explained.
Sharia law stance
Asked if NASFAT supports the call for implementation of Sharia laws in the South-West, Dr. Ishaq Lawal, the branch Lead Missioner, responded that the conduct of Islamic faithful should be guided by Sharia laws.
“Sharia is a divine law which guides the lives of Muslims. Sharia is not for Christians and adherents of any other religions; it is specifically for Muslims, and we have to be guided by these laws. So, the Sharia laws requested by Muslims have to do with the day-to-day lives of Muslims,” he said.
Anniversary celebrations
On the 25th anniversary of NASFAT in Osogbo, Jimoh said the programme would hold between June 14 and 21, 2026. Activities include a Medical Outreach, free surgeries on lipoma, hernia, wrist ganglion, and lumps, as well as empowerment and posthumous awards. The anniversary lecture will be delivered by Guest Speaker Sheikh Sulaimon Faruq Onikijipa on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at Asalat Ground, NASFAT Village, West-Bye Pass, Rong Road, Osogbo, by 10am. The branch chairman also reeled out a series of achievements of NASFAT, noting that lack of funds to execute many projects has been one of its challenges.
