The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria has strongly criticized the Federal Government’s recent diplomatic engagement with Israel, warning against any deepening of security cooperation between the two nations.
In a statement released by Secretary-General Nafiu Baba-Ahmad, the religious body expressed alarm over the Nigeria–Israel political consultations held in Abuja, describing the meeting as a betrayal of Nigeria’s traditional foreign policy principles.
“This represents a grave departure from Nigeria’s principled foreign policy, a dangerous compromise of our national integrity, and an affront to the conscience of the Nigerian people,” the Council stated.
The consultations, facilitated by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Bianca Ojukwu-Odumegwu and Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel-Harpaz, reportedly explored collaboration across various sectors including agriculture, information technology, and education. However, the Council particularly objected to discussions on security cooperation, intelligence sharing, and counter-terrorism initiatives.
The SCSN argued that engaging in security partnerships with Israel contradicts Nigeria’s moral standing on global issues. “To explore security cooperation with such a state is a contradiction that risks rendering Nigeria’s voice on global justice hollow and hypocritical,” the statement read.
Referencing the ongoing Gaza conflict, the Council labeled Israel’s military operations as “one of the most catastrophic against humanity in modern times,” citing casualty figures of over 70,000 Palestinian deaths and 160,000 injuries since October 2023.
The religious body reminded the government of Nigeria’s historical foreign policy stance, emphasizing the country’s tradition of “justice, liberation, and non-alignment with oppressors.”
“To seek security cooperation from a state committing genocide is a perilous paradox,” the Council declared, urging President Tinubu’s administration to reverse course and reaffirm Nigeria’s solidarity with Palestine.
The statement concluded with a call for Nigeria to maintain its position as “a beacon of justice and moral authority” while appealing to Nigerians and the international community to support Palestinian rights.
