November 04, 2025
By Jikan waziri
The Muslim North, a region ravaged by violence, displacement, and despair, cries out for sympathy and understanding. Tens of thousands have been displaced, homes destroyed, and livelihoods lost to insurgency and violence. The people of the North are united in their agony, regardless of their religious persuasions.
The crises in Borno, Plateau, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kaduna, Yobe, Katsina, Adamawa, Benue, and Taraba have left an estimated five million people psychologically traumatized and/or displaced from their homes. The Muslim North is reeling from the devastating consequences of these crises, and yet, they are being accused of complicity in genocide against their Christian brothers.
This accusation is a double jeopardy, a cruel blow to a region already battered by violence and displacement. The logic behind this accusation is flawed, equating the actions of a few violent elements with the entire Muslim community. It's like condemning an entire nation for the actions of a few rogue individuals.
The Muslim North has indeed cultivated a culture of docility and fatalism, attributing their predicaments to divine destiny rather than taking responsibility for their own actions. They have allowed others to define and cast them in a negative image, rather than asserting their own identity and rights.
The region's intellectuals and power brokers have failed to provide visionary leadership, instead opting for petty squabbles and tribal politics. The social media space is awash with lamentations and insults, rather than constructive discourse.
The consequences of this inaction are unmistakable: over 200 schools shut, 60% of Nigeria's poor population residing in the North, and a growing army of beggars and out-of-school children. Governments indulge in luxury projects, while the populace suffers in silence.
The Muslim North is divided along sectarian lines, with various sects competing for loyalty and influence. The misuse of religion to justify inaction has only exacerbated the situation.
The region's relationship with the wider world is also troubled. The Muslim North holds little sway in the Middle East, and its pilgrims are often treated with disdain. In the Western world, Northern Nigerian Muslims are almost invisible, and consequently voiceless.
The allegations of complicity in genocide are a wake-up call for the Muslim North. Its leadership and middle class must wake up, engage in soul-searching, and take responsibility for their problems. They must research, articulate, and share their challenges with the world, seeking realistic solutions.
Nigerian Muslims must emulate their counterparts globally, cultivating the right attitude, justice, and accountability to reclaim their dignity and future. The Earth is not reserved for the uninspired or the self-righteous; it's time for the Muslim North to chart a new course, one that prioritizes education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
The people of the North are crying out for help, for sympathy, and for understanding. It's time for the world to listen to their plight and offer support, rather than condemnation and accusation.
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Opinion