Former House of Representatives member Hon. Aminu Danmaliki has attributed the increasing incidents of mob killings often linked to alleged blasphemy cases to the federal government's persistent failure to prosecute perpetrators, rather than to Sharia law itself.
In a statement issued in Bauchi on Thursday, March 12, 2026, the ex-lawmaker strongly defended Sharia law, describing it as a constitutionally recognized religious legal system with over 1,400 years of history that predates the introduction of English common law in Nigeria.
He emphasized that British colonial authorities never abolished Sharia but allowed it to coexist alongside their system of indirect rule.
Danmaliki insisted that Sharia law does not support or permit the killing of innocent people, nor does it apply to non-Muslims.
He described calls for its abolition including recent suggestions from some U.S. lawmakers urging Nigeria to dismantle Sharia provisions as attempts to "weaponise religious freedom" and misplace blame for the country's security challenges.
Referencing high-profile cases such as the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto, he clarified that such acts were carried out by individuals acting outside the law and should not be attributed to Sharia.
The former representative criticized the government's inaction in ensuring swift and effective prosecution of those responsible, warning that this failure only emboldens further mob violence and jungle justice.
He also condemned the silence of some religious leaders in the face of these attacks, noting that Sharia prescribes strict procedural requirements even in cases involving murder or blasphemy allegations.
Danmaliki rejected efforts to frame Nigeria's security issues as a Christian–Muslim conflict, arguing that such narratives could deepen sectarian distrust, fuel extremist propaganda, and hinder genuine peace-building.
He stressed that Nigeria's sovereignty remains non-negotiable and that Sharia, as enshrined in the constitution, will continue to be upheld by Muslims.
Instead of targeting Sharia, the ex-lawmaker called on the government to prioritize real security reforms, including:
Tackling terrorism financing
Strengthening border control
Enhancing intelligence sharing
Addressing transnational arms trafficking
He urged the United States and other international partners to engage Nigeria through cooperation and mutual respect rather than inflammatory rhetoric or designations like "Country of Particular Concern" under the U.S. International Religious Freedom Act.
Danmaliki concluded by appealing to Nigerians across communities and states to rethink inter-group relationships and foster peaceful coexistence through dialogue and mutual understanding, while insisting that the path to curbing mob violence lies in enforcing existing laws and delivering justice promptly.
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