Renowned Islamic Cleric Grilled by Security Agency Over Criticism of Government Policies
Sheikh Auwal Shariff, a well-known Islamic preacher from Zaria, Kaduna State, has been questioned by the Department of Security Services (DSS) following his recent sermon where he openly criticized the government led by President Bola Tinubu.
Sheikh Auwal Shariff, who is known for his outspoken views on Nigerian governance, voiced his concerns during a Friday prayer session, blaming Tinubu’s economic strategies for the current hardships and rising prices faced by Nigerians.
In his sermon, which circulated widely in video format, Shariff drew parallels between the power transitions in Nigeria and historical figures like Pharaoh and Haman. He particularly criticized the abrupt decision to remove fuel subsidies, which led to a sharp increase in petrol prices.
He said, “Tinubu and Buhari are like Pharaoh and Haman; there is no difference between them. If not for Tinubu’s lack of respect and dignity for Nigerians, how can you announce the removal of subsidy in your inaugural speech?
“After announcing the removal on the inauguration stage, the petrol price jumped from around N200 to over N600 before the president left the venue.
“And people just laughed it off, as though nothing happened. What kind of people are we?
“Ideally, he should have consulted his economic team before making such a hasty decision; even the military, which rules by decree, don’t make that kind of pronouncement.”
Sources close to the cleric told Saharareporters that he was interrogated by DSS operatives in Kaduna for several hours. Despite being asked to return on Monday, Shariff insisted on immediate clarification of the reasons behind his summons.
The source said: “They came back again after the Juma’at prayer, but could not meet him. So they left behind a letter and a phone number for him to call.
“Upon his arrival from the mosque, Malam reached out to them, confirming the receipt of their letter.
“He offered to go to their office immediately, but we advised him against it. Even the SSS asked him to wait until Monday, but he insisted on going to know the reason for the invitation, and prove his innocence.
“He went and had a discussion with them, and after hours of grilling, he was allowed to go home.
“From what we gathered, the order to arrest Malam was from Abuja, but somehow the matter was handled by the Kaduna State Command,” he said.
The security agency expressed concerns over the cleric’s outspokenness, advising him to temper his criticisms given the current delicate political climate.
While the exact reasons behind the interrogation remain undisclosed, it is speculated that Shariff’s vocal opposition to economic hardships and government policies may have triggered the scrutiny from security agencies.