Sokoto cleric wields gun, urges self-defence against bandits

A prominent Islamic cleric in Sokoto State, Sheikh Muhammad Bello Aliyu Yabo, has stirred controversy after appearing in a viral video brandishing a firearm during a sermon, while calling on citizens to prepare for self-defence against bandits.

In the two-minute clip circulating online, Sheikh Yabo is seen holding a gun and addressing his congregation on the need for personal protection in the face of escalating insecurity in the region.

He stated that he is ready to defend himself and warned that any attempt on his life would not go unchallenged.

“I am not afraid of dying tonight,” he declared in Hausa.

“But anyone who tries to take my life must come well-prepared, because I am fully ready. You can see the sign in my hand.”

Holding up the weapon, he added, “As long as I have this, no one with a knife can touch me – not even if they are intoxicated. But if they try, I’m ready.”

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Sokoto, like many other states in Nigeria’s North West region, has been plagued by frequent attacks from armed bandits, resulting in widespread killings, abductions, and destruction of property.

The situation has sparked growing concerns over safety and calls for more robust security measures.

Sheikh Yabo’s message reflects a rising sense of frustration and helplessness among residents who feel abandoned by the authorities and vulnerable to criminal gangs operating with impunity.