Kola Alapinni, an international human rights lawyer, stated that he has not observed any instances of people attacking mosques, shouting religious slogans in destructive ways, or engaging in the burning of religious sites.
He explained that ignoring this reality amounts to living in denial, emphasizing the importance of confronting the true nature of such events.
Alapinni made these remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief programme on Monday, March 2, 2026.
The interview focused on Nigeria’s engagement with the current United States administration and addressed recent recommendations from the U.S. Congress regarding strategies to combat banditry and insurgency in the country.
He was asked to comment on how these international recommendations might influence Nigeria’s policies on internal security challenges, especially given the complex nature of insurgency and violent crime in certain regions.
The discussion also touched on reactions from segments of the Muslim community to proposals about the potential scrapping of Sharia law, highlighting their insistence on the right to govern themselves according to their beliefs and convictions.
Alapinni was invited to provide a legal perspective on the matter, particularly within the framework of Nigeria’s secular constitution and legal system, which separates religion from the functions of the state.
He examined the tension between preserving the constitutional principles of secular governance and respecting the autonomy of religious communities, underlining the legal complexities involved in balancing these considerations.
The interview further explored how recommendations from international actors, like the U.S. Congress, intersect with domestic legal structures and public perceptions, especially in the context of ongoing security challenges and community rights.
Alapinni said, “I haven’t seen them going towards mosques, shouting Allahu Akbar and destroying mosques and burning mosques and, you know, etc. So we’re living in denial, and which leads me to the last point which I’m going to make…. Discover More
Leave a Reply