By Suzan Edeh, Bauchi
A group known as the Concerned Zaar Patriots (CZP) has petitioned the Nigeria Police Force, seeking for an immediate investigation into the alleged hate speech of an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Salisu AA Imam Bauchi against the Zaar/Sayawa ethnic group.
The group accused Sheikh Salisu of broadcasting hate speech, incitement, and insults against the Zaar people via social media platforms.
The petition which was signed Hon Ishaya Dangana and made available to journalists in Bauchi was addressed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), dated 11th September, 2025.
The group who faulted the speech of the Islamic cleric against the Zaar ethnic group, pointing out that Zaar people are progress -Oriented citizens of Nigeria, peace-loving and Law-abiding.
“We here submit this petition against one Sheikh Salisu AA Imam Bauchi, a religious cleric and public commentator based in Bauchi State for engaging in hate speech, ethnic incitement and cyber-harassment contrary to the provisions of the cybercrimes Prohibition, prevention Act 2015, particularly Sections 24 and 26 and other applicable criminal laws”, The petition read.
The petition which was addressed to the Inspector General of Police, stressed on the potential consequences of the Sheikh’s statements, including ethnic tension and violence.
The CZP said that the controversial ill comments of Sheikh Salisu against the Zaar (Sayawa people), followed Governor Bala Mohammed’s announcement to establish the Zaar Chiefdom, recalling that Sheikh Salisu allegedly opposed the Governor’s pronouncement through inflammatory remarks.
They called on the police to investigate and take preventive measures to avert potential security threats in Bauchi State.
“Following the proclamation the Governor, Sheikh Salisu AA Imam Bauchi made public statements via electronic and social media platforms particularly on TikTok account bearing @ibn_imamo via https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSDe6qek1/ where he made hateful, offensive and inciting remarks towards the Zaar (Sayawa) ethnic nationality”
“The content was disseminated via online platforms such as Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube, Sheikh Salisu AA Immam Bauchi and called the Zaar (Sayawa) people as infidels and Pagans (arna/kafirai) without provocation or any justification whatsoever” The petition stated
The Patriots said that the utterances of the sheikh are ethnically discriminatory, religiously demeaning, disparaging and disreputable to the collective image, dignity, reputation and psyche of the entire Zaar people.
“The Concerned Zaar Patriots view the utterances of the Islamic cleric as an explicit call for the marginalization and exclusion of the Zaar people from sociopolitical processes, denying them the well-deserved Chiefdom among other things”
‘The utterances of the Islamic cleric has begun to generate ethnic tension among the Za’ar people, especially in Tafawa Balewa, Bogoro and surrounding LGAs.Presently, there are Christians, Muslims and traditionalists including those who professes no religion living together in peace and harmony in Tafawa Balewa local government area contrary to Sheikh Salisu’s false claims” The petition further said
While thanking Governor Bala Mohammed of the state for his developmental strides in Bauchi State especially his peace initiatives in both T/Balewa and Bogoro LGAs, the Concerned Zaar Patriots commended his prompt leadership intervention that prevented the escalation of crisis in the areas following recent attacks.