Sokoto cleric sparks outrage after waving gun during sermon, urges self-defence against bandits
A well-known Islamic cleric in Sokoto State, Sheikh Muhammad Bello Aliyu Yabo, has triggered widespread debate after a video of him wielding a firearm during a sermon surfaced online. In the video, which has quickly gone viral, Sheikh Yabo is seen urging citizens to be prepared to defend themselves against increasing bandit attacks in the region.
The two-minute clip shows the cleric holding a gun as he addresses his followers, emphasizing the need for self-protection amid growing insecurity. He made it clear that he is ready to defend himself and issued a stern warning to anyone plotting harm against him.
Speaking in Hausa, Sheikh Yabo declared:
“I am not afraid to die tonight. But anyone who wants to take my life must come prepared, because I am ready. What you see in my hand is the evidence.”
Raising the weapon, he continued:
“With this, no one carrying a knife—drunk or sober—can threaten me. If they try, I’m prepared.”
The video has sparked mixed reactions, with some supporting his call for self-defence amid security failures, while others criticize the display as dangerous and inflammatory.
Sokoto, like much of Nigeria’s North West, has seen repeated attacks by armed bandits—resulting in deaths, kidnappings, and widespread fear. The lack of consistent state protection has fueled anger and desperation among residents.
Sheikh Yabo’s message reflects a deepening sense of frustration and abandonment felt by many in the region, where vigilante action and calls for self-defence have become increasingly common due to perceived government inaction.
