Izala Suspends Cleric Amid Rising Religious Tension in Northern Nigeria

The Jos headquarters of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), popularly known as Izala, has suspended prominent cleric Alkali Abubakar Salihu Zaria from continuing his Ramadan tafsir sessions in Damaturu, Yobe State, following a series of sermons that sharply criticized political and traditional authorities in northern Nigeria.

The development comes amid heightened religious and political tension across parts of northern Nigeria linked to reactions by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), a Shiite group, over the ongoing geopolitical confrontation involving Iran, Israel and the United States.

The decision, announced on March 3, 2026, was confirmed in a statement by the Damaturu branch of the Islamic group, a document seen by BusinessDay on Wednesday.

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According to the statement, the suspension was ordered by Izala’s national leader, Sheikh Muhammad Sani Yahya Jingir, citing security concerns and the need to uphold the organisation’s established preaching methodology.

Alkali had, during the first 11 days of his tafsir lectures in Damaturu during Ramadan, delivered strongly worded sermons condemning northern governors, security officials, traditional rulers and even the president over what he described as worsening insecurity, economic hardship and governance failures across the region.

Izala leaders said the cleric’s approach — which reportedly involved directly naming and rebuking public officials — contradicted the group’s preaching style and risked inflaming public sentiment at a time authorities are wary of rising sectarian tension.

Security observers note that religious rhetoric has become increasingly sensitive in the region following recent protests and gatherings by Shiite adherents expressing solidarity with Iran amid the escalating conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States.

The situation has raised fears among security agencies that strongly political or sectarian sermons during Ramadan could heighten tensions in several northern states.

Following the controversy, Alkali was summoned to Izala’s national headquarters in Jos, Plateau State, where he met with the leadership and presented his defence.

The organisation said the scholar acknowledged his error, apologised to the leadership and the wider community, and accepted the decision taken by the group.

Consequently, his assignment to conduct tafsir sessions in Damaturu was withdrawn, bringing his lectures at Masallacin Mokas and other venues in the city to an abrupt end.

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The development clarifies earlier reports suggesting that the suspension was linked to “security reasons,” with sources within the organisation indicating that the action was largely triggered by the cleric’s outspoken criticism of political authorities.

Analysts say the episode highlights the delicate balance religious organisations in northern Nigeria face as they seek to maintain internal discipline while navigating an increasingly charged political and sectarian atmosphere.