Nigerian Muslims are being treated as both the victims and the villains of the country's insecurity crisis — and that's a 'double jeopardy' that must stop.

That's the message from the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), which issued a strong statement on Thursday, Democracy Day, condemning what it called persistent attempts to link Muslims to banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism.

'While Nigerian Muslims themselves remain victims of terrorism, discrimination and persecution, it's regrettable that they're also being falsely portrayed as perpetrators. In effect, they're being made to suffer double jeopardy,' the council said.

The statement was signed by Abbas Jimoh, the NSCIA's Public Affairs Officer, on behalf of the council led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar.

The council pointed to the recent abduction of students and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State as a case in point. It said some people had prematurely linked the crime to Islam and Shariah — but later developments proved those claims wrong.

'While some mischief-makers were bent on criminalising Muslims and the Shariah over the kidnapping of students and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, recent developments have vindicated Muslims against such attempts at false criminalisation,' the statement noted.

The NSCIA referenced an article by media scholar Professor Farooq Kperogi titled 'Don't Add Lies to the Terrorist Horror in Oyo,' arguing that the tragedy shouldn't be exploited with misinformation.

The council also hit out at ethnic profiling in crime reporting. It noted that the identities of suspects arrested in connection with the Oyo abduction didn't match earlier claims that the perpetrators were Fulani.

'This practice should cease. Anyone who commits a crime should be identified by the offence committed and prosecuted in accordance with the laws of the land,' the NSCIA said.

The council reiterated that Islam doesn't condone violence. 'The Council unequivocally condemns all acts of violence and criminality and, for the umpteenth time, admonishes those involved to abandon and renounce their destructive activities,' the statement added.

It urged journalists, commentators, and public figures to report security issues with accuracy and fairness. It warned that narratives that give crime an ethnic or religious colour deepen divisions and hurt the fight against insecurity.

'Criminality shouldn't be given ethnic nor religious colouration, as such narratives deepen divisions and undermine collective efforts to address insecurity and achieve lasting peace,' the NSCIA said.

Commemorating 27 years of uninterrupted democracy, the council called June 12 a symbol of justice, accountability, inclusion, and human dignity. It commended the Federal Government, security agencies, and community leaders for their efforts, but called for stronger collaboration to restore peace.

'We pray that Allah strengthens and protects our security agencies in their efforts to safeguard lives and property,' the council said.