By Bukola Hameed
The Pure Heart Islamic Foundation of Nigeria (PHF) has called on the federal government and state authorities to make the security of Nigerians a top national priority, insisting that insecurity must be confronted with “responsible and serious action” rather than divisive narratives.
In a press release signed by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Balogun, the organisation warned that insecurity has now become “a national emergency demanding coordinated, serious and sustained responses.” PHF emphasised that all Nigerians, regardless of faith, ethnicity or region, deserve protection from the escalating violence.
According to the statement, “every citizen, regardless of faith, ethnicity or region, has a fundamental right to life, safety and the peaceful enjoyment of property.” It added that the continued attacks on schools, campuses, mosques, churches, farmers and traders show that insecurity is no longer a localised problem.
A major part of the foundation’s message was its strong rejection of attempts to frame the security crisis as a targeted attack against Christians. “We reject any attempt to frame Nigeria insecurity as a targeted Christian genocide. The history of violence in this country clearly shows that criminals target everyone.”
PHF noted that mosques have also been attacked and that Muslim students and youths have been kidnapped and killed across several regions. It says, “terrorists, bandits and kidnappers are not defenders of any faith. They are enemies of humanity, driven by criminality, warped ideology, greed and power.” The group warned that promoting religiously divisive narratives only “deepens distrust and weakens our collective ability” to confront insecurity.
The foundation urged religious leaders, especially Muslim scholars and community heads, to “play a proactive and responsible role” in discouraging ideologies that enable banditry, kidnapping or extremism.
“Religion must never be weaponized. It should serve as a force for peace, compassion and justice.” PHF also called for vigilance and adequate security arrangements at mosques, events and community programmes.
The organisation warned the government against policies or actions that make criminality profitable, saying “we insist that the federal government must not create or sustain an environment where criminality becomes profitable while innocent citizens suffer.”
PHF stressed that paying ransoms or negotiating with criminal groups emboldens kidnappers, “negotiating with terrorists has repeatedly proven counterproductive. Paying ransoms or legitimizing criminal groups encourages more kidnappings, fuels impunity and erodes trust in state institutions.”
The foundation faulted politicians who exploit insecurity for political advantage. “The safety and dignity of Nigerians are not bargaining chips. Political actors must show maturity, seriousness and sincerity… any attempt to politicize national security should be rejected.”
PHF reminded Nigerians that security is a collective duty and that criminals thrive where communities are silent or divided. “Nigeria must therefore reject any agenda that seeks to further fracture an already polarized society. By fostering trust, alertness and communal responsibility, we can protect lives and prevent recurring tragedies.”
The statement concluded by urging PHF members in schools and campuses nationwide to remain security conscious and seek Allah’s protection.