Yoruba Chief Raises Alarm Over New Boko Haram-Linked Islamic Group in South West
The Grand Mufti of Yorubaland has raised robust considerations over the emergence of a brand new Islamic physique within the South West.
He warned that the group might open the door to extremist influences much like Boko Haram and Maitatsine.
Sheikh Abdulrasaz Abdulazeez Ishola mentioned the newly launched League of Imams and Alfas doesn’t characterize the true Islamic management of the Yoruba area.
He described it as an imitation of the long-standing and acknowledged physique of Muslim clerics within the South West.
In keeping with him, the group was inaugurated between February 11 and 12, 2026, in Iwo, and later expanded its attain to Edo and Delta states.
He faulted the transfer, saying Edo and Delta don’t belong to the standard South West construction of Yoruba Muslim management.
Ishola defined that the genuine League of Imams and Alfas has existed for the reason that early Nineteen Sixties and is made up of revered Chief Imams throughout Yoruba land. He mentioned the brand new physique was fashioned by only some people with out the consent of established non secular authorities.
He accused the founders of pushing a hidden agenda and making an attempt to attract nearer to northern Muslim organizations in a means that would create division. He insisted that the authentic league has all the time maintained peaceable cooperation with Islamic our bodies in different areas.
“The genuine league isn’t combating the North,” he mentioned, whereas recalling previous engagements with northern Muslim establishments.
The cleric famous that regional Islamic {groups} have existed for many years with out inflicting battle. He cited Jama’atu Nasril Islam for example of a northern-based physique that operates with out stress with southern {groups}.
Ishola confused that true Yoruba Muslims wouldn’t help any motion able to frightening non secular disaster within the area.
He warned that the formation of rival constructions might destabilize long-standing concord amongst Muslims within the South West.
On the difficulty of Ramadan, he defended the place of the genuine league in utilizing astronomical calculations to find out the fasting interval. He mentioned the tactic is scientifically dependable and appropriate for contemporary instances.
The league has introduced February 18, 2026, as the primary day of Ramadan this 12 months. Ishola acknowledged that any declare of moon sighting on February 17 can be incorrect and deceptive.
He added that such disputes solely weaken unity amongst Muslims and confuse worshippers who depend upon clear steerage from their leaders.