The Patrick Anum Advocacy Group has petitioned the Department of State Services, the Plateau State Police Command, and the state Attorney-General to investigate remarks attributed to Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, National Chairman of the Council of Ulama, Jama’atu Izalatul Bid’ah Wa’Ikamatis Sunnah. The group claims Jingir's comments on the religious and demographic composition of Plateau State have the potential to heighten existing inter-communal and inter-religious tensions.
According to the group, Jingir asserted on September 26, 2026, that Muslims constitute a majority in Plateau State compared to Christians but are being marginalized. This claim is concerning, particularly given Plateau State's history of communal and religious conflicts. The advocacy group also referenced remarks allegedly made by Jingir a few weeks earlier, in which he reportedly said Nigeria was a Muslim country and that anyone unwilling to accept a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket should leave the country.
The petition also referenced remarks allegedly made by Jingir on August 9, 2026, at the “Abba Go Again” campaign event for the Kano State governor in Kano, where he referred to non-Muslims as “infidels.” The group said such remarks were particularly troubling against the backdrop of recent attacks and displacement of communities in parts of Plateau State, alleging that inflammatory rhetoric could be used to justify violence.
Founder of the Patrick Anum Advocacy Group, Patrick Anum, expressed concern that Jingir's assertion about the religious and demographic balance of Plateau State could deepen existing tensions if interpreted as a justification for altering the state’s political or demographic structure. Anum said the group was also concerned that similar remarks attributed to Jingir over the years suggested a pattern of inflammatory rhetoric.
The National Human Rights Commission publicly described Jingir's earlier statements as hate speech and incitement to religious hatred and potential violence on August 11, 2026. The NHRC called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS, and other relevant authorities to arrest and prosecute Jingir. However, to the group's knowledge, no arrest had been announced nor public charges filed as of the date of the petition.
The advocacy group cited several previous statements attributed to Jingir, including his reported description of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 as a conspiracy to prevent Muslims from gathering for prayers. The group also alleged that in 2023, Jingir framed support for a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket as a religious obligation for Muslims and reportedly described Muslims who opposed the ticket as non-believers.
The Patrick Anum Advocacy Group is urging the authorities to investigate Jingir's remarks, obtain underlying video and audio recordings, transcripts, and publications, and take appropriate lawful enforcement action, including arrest and prosecution where warranted. The group seeks to ensure that Jingir's alleged inflammatory rhetoric is addressed, and that Plateau State's delicate inter-communal and inter-religious balance is maintained.
Key points
- The Patrick Anum Advocacy Group petitions the DSS, police, and state Attorney-General to investigate Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir's alleged inflammatory remarks.
- Jingir's comments have sparked concerns about heightening existing inter-communal and inter-religious tensions in Plateau State.
- The National Human Rights Commission had previously called for Jingir's arrest and prosecution, describing his statements as hate speech and incitement to violence.
