Leaders of the Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society of Nigeria (NASFAT), Osogbo branch, yesterday identified the Almajiri system, lack of cumpulsory education and religious extremism of few Muslims in the Northern parts of Nigeria as major reasons fueling banditry, terrorism and general insecurity in the country.

They made this known as the society has lined up a series of programmes to mart its 25th creation anniversary.

Addresing a press conference to herald the activities for the event, some leaders of the society in Osogbo, while fielding questions from journalists proffered way forward to pockets of religion-motivated violence and insecurity in the Northern part of the country.

Speaking, Alhaji Tajudeen Adisa Jimoh, Osogbo branch chairman of NASFAT, said the religious tolerance exhibited by Islamic faithful in the South has been responsible for the relative peace in the zone, adding that the peaceful coexistence has further made it difficult for banditry to have its way in the South.

He described Islam as religion of peace, noting that its adherents are expected to shun religious extremism and fanaticism that could promote violence.

“Nobody should kill in the name of practising Islam religion. Islam is a religion of peace and it shows in the way we tolerate each other in the South here. In our families here, we have both Muslims and Christians cohabiting peacefully in the same family. Others should emulate it,” Jimoh said.

Also reeling out some factors that encourage religious violence and insecurity in the North, the chairman of the NASFAT 25th anniversary planning committee,
Prof. Moshood Shittu, blamed the Almajiri system being practised in the North, lack of free and cumpulsory education and existence of “tiny number of extremists.”

“One of the problems in the North is the Almajiri system where parents are parking their children for others to take care at the early stage and you know it doesn’t happen here (South), most parents are responsible for their children’s upbringing.

Lack of education is also another reason. What I will advise government is that they should make education free, accessible and cumpulsory like it was done in the olden days. I want to say it with fact that the tiny minority are always the extremists. Majority of people in the North are peace-loving. But when you have one extremist among 50 people, it can distabilise a lot of things. So, that’s some of the reasons for this banditry and terrorism you are seeing,” Shittu explained.

Asked if NASFAT also support the call for implementation of Sharia laws in the South-West, Dr Ishaq Lawal, the branch Lead Missioner, responded that conducts of Islamic faithful should be guided by Sharia laws.

“Sharia is a divine law which guides the lives of the Muslims. Sharia is not for Christians and adherents of any other religions, it is specifically for Muslims and we have to be guided by these laws.

So, the Sharia laws have been requested by the Muslims have to do with day to day lives of the Muslims,” he said.

On the 25th anniversary of NASFAT in Osogbo, Jimoh said the programme would hold between June 14 and 21, 2026. He added that activities such as Medical Outreach, Free Surgeries on lipoma, hernia, wrist ganglion and lumps, empowerment and posthumous awards will be carried out.

He said the anniversary lecture will be delivered by the Guest Speaker, Sheikh Sulaimon Faruq Onikijipa, on Sunday June 21, 2026 at Asalat Ground, NASFAT Village, West-Bye Pass, Rong Road Osogbo by 10am.

The branch chairman reeled out series of achievements of NASFAT, noting that lack of funds to execute many projects has been one of its challenges.