“So, because I said N1 million and SaharaReporters is calling for my arrest, I’m now increasing it by another N1 million; it is now N2 million.”
Northern Nigerian Islamic Cleric Increases N1Million Bounty On Pastor’s Head To N2Million, Affirms Call For His Beheading
A Northern Nigeria-based Islamic cleric has escalated tensions by increasing a controversial bounty from N1 million to N2 million on the head of an unnamed individual described as a Christian cleric, while openly daring operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest or kill him over his inciting statements.
In a viral video recorded in Hausa and widely circulated on social media, the cleric reacted angrily to reports, particularly by SaharaReporters, following public calls for his arrest after he declared that anyone who insults Prophet Muhammad should be beheaded.
Rather than retract his statement, the cleric doubled down, questioning why security agencies had not yet arrested him and insisting that he had committed no crime.
“Finally, regarding a certain statement or rather, some videos I’ve been seeing on social media. Some people are spreading rumours that I have been arrested. First of all, I want to ask: for what exactly? What did I do to deserve arrest? What is my offence?” he said.
He continued, defending his earlier comments: “Is it because someone insulted the Prophet, and I came out to say that whoever insults the Prophet should be beheaded, is that my crime? That is the question I am asking.”
The cleric accused media organisations, particularly those based in Southern Nigeria, of orchestrating calls for his arrest, singling out SaharaReporters and its publisher, Omoyele Sowore.
“Secondly, there are newspapers, some from Southern Nigeria, that I have seen publishing calls for my arrest. They are urging the DSS to arrest me, especially SaharaReporters,” he said.
“The owner of SaharaReporters is already well known for insulting Islam. That is clear. I have personally seen it.”
However, the cleric announced an increase in the bounty placed on the alleged offender.
“This same person from SaharaReporters is among those leading the campaign against me because I said a bounty should be placed on the pastor. I announced N1 million, and he is among those spreading the call for my arrest because of that,” the Islamic cleric said.
“So, because I said N1 million and SaharaReporters is calling for my arrest, I’m now increasing it by another N1 million; it is now N2 million.”
The cleric stated that he does not want to be detained if arrested but would rather be killed.
“In fact, if I am arrested, what I want is not imprisonment, I want to be shot. I do not want to be jailed; I want to be killed,” he said.
He framed any potential arrest as evidence of what he described as systemic disrespect toward Islam and the Prophet, alleging double standards in how authorities respond to speech-related offences.
“If the security agencies respond to their calls, it will show the level of contempt they have for Muslims and for the Prophet,” he added.
The cleric also referenced global debates around free speech and religious sensitivities, alleging that there are ongoing international efforts, particularly from the United States, to abolish Sharia-related punishments in Nigeria.
Drawing a controversial comparison, he cited the case of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, alleging that an individual in Nigeria was arrested for making comments about him, while insults against Prophet Muhammad are defended as freedom of speech.
“Someone insulted Benjamin Netanyahu, not even an insult, but merely wished him dead, and that person was arrested here in this country. So what does that show?” he asked.
He further claimed that thousands of people share his views but that he is being singled out because of his prominence.
“And I was not the only one; there are thousands of people who said that if they meet him, they will kill him. But because I am the one who has angered the unbelievers, they want to use me as an example of humiliation,” he said.
Reaffirming his stance, the cleric declared: “Alhamdulillah, I am pleased. If I am arrested because I said anyone who insults the Prophet should be punished and I placed N1 million bounty on his head, then I am announcing to the world that I have increased it to N2 million.”
He also took aim at U.S. President Donald Trump, accusing him of making disrespectful remarks about religious figures.
“Donald Trump came out and made statements comparing himself to Prophet Jesus. Yet I have not heard anyone among you respond to him,” he said.
“Trump said he came to defend Christians and their religion because they are being oppressed. But out of disrespect and lack of regard, he has now compared himself to Prophet Jesus (Isa Al-Masih) and even posted it on his page.”
The cleric reiterates his preference for death over detention if apprehended by security operatives.
As of the time of filing this report, Nigerian security agencies, including the DSS, have not issued an official response to the cleric’s statements or the growing calls for his arrest.
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