The federal government has been urged to subject religious organisations and initiatives promoting peace and national cohesion to evidence-based scrutiny, while ensuring that no individual or religious community is collectively stigmatised over allegations of extremism.

The call was made by the National President, Tijaniyyah Muslim Students’ Association of Nigeria (TIMSAN), Assayyidi A. Yusuf, in a statement on the recently concluded Abuja International Conference on Security, National Unity and Social Peace, jointly organised by Jama’atu Izalatul Bid’ah Wa Iqamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS) and the Muslim World League.

The JIBWIS’ conference, held in Abuja from August 11 to 12, 2026, focused on terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, national unity, religious tolerance and sustainable socio economic development, and attracted government officials and prominent religious figures.

Yusuf said the conference provided an opportunity for a broader national conversation on religious tolerance, violent extremism and accountability, stating that the search for peace must be accompanied by truth, transparency and institutional responsibility.

He cautioned against labeling JIBWIS or its members as terrorists or extremists without evidence, noting that academic literature contains differing assessments of the historical relationship between elements of the Izala movement and Boko Haram.

He said while some scholars have examined possible ideological or organisational connections, others have documented efforts by mainstream Izala scholars to oppose Boko Haram and discourage young Muslims from joining the insurgency.

He called for an independent assessment of credible allegations rather than conclusions based on political assumptions, religious loyalty or public relations.

“Where allegations are false, they should be rejected. Where allegations are substantiated, they should be acted upon. Where historical teachings require clarification or repudiation, responsible institutions should provide that clarification,” he said.

Yusuf challenged JIBWIS to use the Abuja conference as an opportunity for institutional reflection and reform by voluntarily reviewing its preaching history and publicly clarifying its position on issues relating to violence, takfir, sectarian intolerance and terrorism.

He said the organisation should clearly state its position on Boko Haram, ISWAP and other terrorist groups, as well as its opposition to violence against Christians, Muslims and followers of other faiths.

He also urged the movement to establish mechanisms for sanctioning preachers who promote hatred, incitement or violence and to review historically controversial sermons and publications where necessary.

“If JIBWIS genuinely seeks to become an authoritative voice against violent extremism, it should voluntarily lead the way by conducting and publishing a transparent institutional review of its preaching history,” he said.

The statement also called on President Bola Tinubu, the National Security Council, National Counter Terrorism Centre, Department of State Services, Nigeria Police Force, National Human Rights Commission and National Assembly to commission an independent, evidence nased assessment of credible allegations concerning extremist preaching, incitement and radicalisation across Nigeria’s religious landscape.

Yusuf stated that such an assessment should cover all religious and ideological movements equally and should not target Muslims or JIBWIS alone.

He further urged the government to investigate individual preachers where credible evidence indicates incitement to violence, terrorist recruitment, glorification of terrorism or other violations of Nigerian law.

He said Nigeria’s Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 provides a statutory framework for addressing terrorism related offences and should be applied consistently.