Sheikh Imran AbdulMajeed Eleha, Chief Imam of DaaruNaim Central Mosque in Lagos, has addressed the growing concerns around extremism and insecurity in northern Nigeria, stressing that violent groups should never be seen as representatives of Islam.
In an interview with The Punch, the cleric said organisations such as ISIS, ISWAP, and Boko Haram operate completely outside the teachings of Islam. He explained that their actions resemble the historical Khawarij, who used religion as a cover for violence, adding that such groups should be viewed as criminals rather than true followers of the faith.
Speaking further, Sheikh Eleha noted that Boko Haram has changed over the years. The sect, which initially drew followers from remote communities, has now been infiltrated by different individuals with various motives. He added that security agencies have arrested people from different backgrounds—including some identified as Christians—showing how the group has been hijacked for wider criminal activities.
He also separated the issue of extremism from banditry, explaining that while Fulani communities have historically coexisted peacefully with farmers, some other groups, including certain Bororo herders, operate differently and often contribute to rising tensions.
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