Malumfashi Killings: ACIPA Condoles With Hausa Community, Demands Action From Clerics, Security Chiefs and President Tinubu

The Arewa Christians and Indigenous Pastors Association (ACIPA) has extended its condolences to the Hausa Muslim community in Malumfashi, Katsina State, following the brutal killing of about 50 people on Tuesday, August 19, 2025.

According to reports, the victims, mostly indigenous Hausa residents, were either gunned down inside a mosque or burnt in their homes during a coordinated attack. ACIPA, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Rev. (Dr.) Luke Shehu, condemned the killings as another act of genocide targeting indigenous communities in Nigeria.

“ACIPA uses this medium to identify with all Hausas in Nigeria and the diaspora as we pray and mourn with you. This is one attack too many,” the statement read.

The association alleged that the attackers, who rode motorcycles, were heard speaking Fulani, adding that similar patterns of violence had been documented across Zamfara, Kaduna, Niger, Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba, Kebbi, and Sokoto States.

ACIPA challenged Fulani leaders in positions of authority, including the Sultan of Sokoto, the Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle, and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, to take urgent action to rein in violent groups linked to their ethnic kin.

“It is unfortunate that while Northern indigenous Nigerians are mourning and counting their losses from particularly one ethnic group, some South-Western religious bigots are playing the devil’s advocate in the name of religion,” the group stated, faulting recent opposition by some Islamic organisations to Nigeria’s security cooperation with Israel.

The statement also called for the arrest of Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, accusing him of making statements sympathetic to terrorists, especially in the wake of recent arrests of Ansaru and ISWAP leaders.

“Enough is enough! ACIPA therefore calls on all people of ethnic nationalities to rise in self-defence and in defence of their God-given inheritance in accordance with the constitution as well as religious rights of self-defence,” the association declared.

While pledging continued prayers for the nation’s security agencies, ACIPA urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to be bold and decisive in restoring peace and security ahead of future elections.

“Our prayers for comfort and condolences go to the Hausa community and all those who lost loved ones as a result of the heinous activities against indigenous people of Nigeria,” Rev. Shehu added.