A storm of controversy has erupted in Nigeria and beyond following a statement by prominent Islamic cleric Ibrahim Jalo Jalingo, who publicly called for the execution of individuals who renounce Islam or believe in more than one deity. The cleric made these remarks during a religious sermon earlier this week, citing verses from the Qur’an to support his position.
Jalingo, who commands a large following in northern Nigeria, claimed that apostasy and polytheism are punishable by death under Islamic law. "Those who leave the path of Islam or associate partners with Allah are to be dealt with in the manner prescribed by our sacred texts," he said. He referenced verses such as Surah An-Nisa 4:89 and Surah Al-Baqarah 2:217, interpreting them as divine mandates for capital punishment in such cases.
The statement has drawn swift condemnation from human rights organizations, legal experts, and civil society advocates who argue that such rhetoric promotes extremism and violates both Nigerian law and international human rights standards.
"This kind of dangerous speech undermines Nigeria’s constitutional protections for freedom of religion and belief," said Fatima Lawal, a spokesperson for the Nigerian Human Rights Coalition. "Calls for violence based on religious differences have no place in a modern, pluralistic society."
While some conservative elements within Jalingo’s base have defended his interpretation of Islamic jurisprudence, many others—both within and outside the Muslim community—have expressed concern over the implications of his remarks.