A prominent human rights organization representing Nigeria’s Shi’a Muslim community has submitted a memorandum to Kano State’s governor, alleging a long-standing pattern of governmental favoritism toward Wahhabi/Salafi groups at the expense of other Muslim sects.
The document, prepared by Voices for Freedom and Human Rights (V-FHR), calls for an immediate judicial inquiry into controversial statements made by Sheikh Lawal Shu’aibu Triumph, who is accused of insulting Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) without facing consequences.
In the memorandum dated September 29, 2025, and addressed to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf through the Secretary to the State Government, V-FHR Executive Director Comrade Abdullahi Hassan (Shazy) argues that Sheikh Triumph’s remarks exemplify systemic bias in religious affairs.
“This case reflects a broader pattern of government favoritism towards Wahhabi/Salafi groups at the expense of other Muslim communities. Allowing Sheikh Lawal Triumph to continue unchecked undermines justice, offends Muslim sensibilities, and sets a dangerous precedent,” the memo states.
The group traces the issue back to colonial-era Northern Nigeria, claiming political leaders have historically favoured certain Muslim factions while oppressing others. Under Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, the government allegedly relied on Sheikh Abubakar Gumi as an adviser to restrict Sufi groups like the Tijaniyya order. The memo lists oppressed scholars, including Sheikh Lawwali Mailirabi of Sokoto and Sheikh Muhammadu Lawal Kalarawi of Kano, and cites violent incidents such as the burning of Birnin Magaji and the killing of Tijaniyya members.
This pattern persisted through subsequent administrations, according to V-FHR. During Shehu Shagari and Muhammadu Buhari’s first military rule, the Salafi-inspired Izala group was denied registration. However, under General Ibrahim Babangida, Izala was officially recognized and granted large lands in major cities, sparking conflicts with traditional Muslims.
Focusing on Kano State, the memo criticizes several governors for exacerbating divisions. Governor Ibrahim Shekarau is accused of removing mosque oversight from the traditional Emirate, allowing Wahhabi/Salafi groups to proliferate Friday mosques unregulated, with their numbers surging from fewer than 10 to hundreds. Shekarau also allegedly banned the annual Qadiriyya Waliyai Maukibi procession led by Sheikh Nasiru Kabara and transferred the Tukuntawa mosque from Sufi orders to Izala. Additionally, he reportedly overhauled the Islamic Studies curriculum, replacing traditional texts with Wahhabi ones, including “Muqarrar Tauhid” by Muhammad ibn Abdulwahhab, which the memo describes as promoting “militant ideas.”
Even Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, in his second term, is said to have appeased Salafi groups by renaming Dorayi Sabon Titi after Sheikh Ja’afar Mahmud Adam. Under Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, the memo alleges the killing of over 30 Shi’a Muslims in Naibawa during an Ashura mourning procession, the closure of Sheikh Abduljabbar’s mosques and schools, and his death sentence for blasphemy. Other scholars, like Sheikh Abba Maihalara of Gezawa, faced harassment, beatings, arrests, and imprisonment.
At the federal level, V-FHR points to President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for giving Wahhabis “nearly 90% control of religious affairs” despite being a minority. This included the 2015 killing of over 1,000 Shi’a Muslims in Zaria, seizures of Tijaniyya Qur’anic schools, and privileged access for Wahhabi clerics to negotiate with Boko Haram and bandits. The memo notes that while Tijaniyya students were arrested in states like Bauchi and Kaduna, Boko Haram members often escaped custody. Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, though killings have decreased, Wahhabi dominance persists in religious boards, Hajj affairs, and media.
V-FHR also highlights Wahhabi/Salafi control over media and education, claiming they enjoy “more than 97% visibility” in radio, TV, and print despite their minority status, and dominate schools from primary to tertiary levels.
At the heart of the memorandum is the case of Sheikh Lawal Triumph, described as “closely connected” to both Kano and federal governments. Despite his “repeated controversial statements,” no action has been taken against him, the group claims. Specific offenses include:
– Claiming the Prophet Muhammad urinated standing.
– Using offensive language about the Prophet’s death.
– Narrating that the Prophet had lice removed by a woman named Umm Haram.
– Comparing the Prophet’s birth signs—such as being born circumcised and with eyeliner—to those of “sheep and non-Muslim children,” stating: “He was born circumcised, with eyeliner, etc. Go and see, even lambs are born like this, and non-Muslim children too.”
These remarks have sparked “widespread anger among Muslims, as they demean the honour of the Prophet,” the memo asserts.
In a stark comparison, V-FHR notes that Sheikh Abduljabbar was sentenced to death for denying similar claims about the Prophet urinating standing or having lice—views directly opposing Triumph’s. Yet, Triumph receives “government security agents” for protection instead of facing justice.
Drawing on historical precedent, the group references a fatwa by Sheikh Ja’afar Mahmud Adam during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s era. When a minister compared Vice President Atiku Abubakar to the Prophet, saying, “Even the Prophet was stoned in Ta’if, so Atiku should not complain,” Adam declared it apostasy for equating Atiku to the Prophet and Kano Muslims to disbelievers. By this logic, Triumph’s comparison is “a far greater offense,” V-FHR argues.
The memorandum urges the Kano State Judiciary Inquiry Commission to summon Sheikh Triumph, examine his statements under Islamic and Nigerian law, and try him in Shari’a Court if guilty. “Equal justice must be applied—the same way Sheikh Abduljabbar was tried and sentenced, Sheikh Triumph must not be given government protection,” it demands.
Copies were sent to key officials, including the Kano State House of Assembly Speaker, Attorney General, and National Human Rights Commission.
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