Amnesty International has raised concerns over what it described as a “deliberate and unlawful” campaign against Islamic cleric Yahya Masussuka, known for his peaceful preaching.
In a statement on Tuesday, the human rights group said certain groups appeared to be using state powers to silence Masussuka and close his schools, despite no evidence of legal violations.
“Attempts to manipulate governmental powers to shut down his schools or silence his voice, without any evidence of wrongdoing, must stop,” Amnesty said.
The organisation said the harassment appeared to be motivated by sectarian interests and warned that targeting clerics who promote dialogue and peace could undermine freedom of religion and expression, rights guaranteed under Nigerian law and international human rights treaties.
Amnesty called on Nigerian authorities to ensure the safety of Masussuka and uphold their obligations under national and international law, cautioning that suppressing peaceful voices could fuel division and threaten social stability.