Nigerian Government Detains Zaria-Based Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Khalifa For Weeks, Moves Him To Unknown Location

The Nigerian government has been accused of secretly detaining a prominent Zaria-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Sani Khalifa, for over three weeks without charge, raising serious concerns about human rights abuses and violations of due process.

Sources told SaharaReporters on Saturday that Sheikh Khalifa has been in custody for 23 days, with his whereabouts unknown to family members and associates. He has reportedly been denied access to lawyers and prevented from communicating with relatives, actions said to contravene Nigeria’s constitution and international human rights standards.

According to a source familiar with the case, the cleric’s ordeal began after his bank account was abruptly frozen without any written notice or court order.

“When his bank branch in Zaria was contacted, officials said the account could only be reactivated at the bank’s headquarters in Abuja,” the source said.

The cleric reportedly travelled to Abuja to resolve the issue, but upon arrival, security operatives allegedly intercepted and arrested him.

“Security agents appeared and took him away, claiming that a soldier accused of involvement in a coup attempt had once transferred ₦2 million to him,” the source added.

Sheikh Khalifa was allegedly accused of having links to the soldier solely because of the bank transfer. However, another source strongly dismissed any criminal or political relationship between the cleric and the soldier.

“Sheikh Sani Khalifa has no business or personal ties with that soldier,” the source said. “One of the Sheikh’s students knew the soldier and once introduced them over the phone. They only exchanged greetings.”

The source explained that the soldier later obtained the cleric’s account number through the student and sent ₦2 million, requesting prayers and blessings — a practice said to be common among religious followers.

“There was no political discussion, no criminal intention, nothing beyond prayers,” the source said. “Now it is being suggested that anyone who ever had any transaction with that soldier is being tracked and arrested.”

As of the time of filing this report, security agencies have neither confirmed Sheikh Khalifa’s detention nor disclosed any formal charges against him.

Family members and associates are calling for his immediate release or, at the very least, that he be charged in court in line with the law.

On October 30, 2025, SaharaReporters reported that senior military sources revealed the names and departments of 16 high-ranking officers being detained by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) over an alleged plot to overthrow the Bola Tinubu-led government.