The Defence Headquarters has refrained from making any public response to the controversial labeling of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) as the ‘Muslim Airforce’ by Dr. Zakir Naik, a controversial Islamic scholar. Naik’s presence in Nigeria, invited by the Sultan of Sokoto, has stirred outrage among netizens due to his social media posts.
Dr. Zakir Naik is a fugitive wanted by Indian authorities for his controversial preachings, which are alleged to incite religious intolerance and support suicide bombing. In late 2016, Indian authorities outlawed Naik’s Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) on the grounds that he had encouraged and assisted the group’s members in promoting animosity, hatred, and negative sentiments among various religious communities and groups.
Following his arrival in Nigeria, Naik posted pictures on social media with officers of the Nigerian Air Force, labeling them the “Muslim Airforce.” This post generated heated debates and discussions on social media platforms. He also shared a photo with Nigerian Immigration officers, tagging it as “Muslim Immigration.” Moreover, he referred to the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, as the “head of state,” despite Nigeria having an elected president.
When contacted for a statement, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) spokesman, Air Cdre Edward Gabkwet, declined to comment on the matter. The acting director of defense information, Brig-Gen Tukur Gusau, also did not respond to inquiries made to his official contact.
It is worth noting that in 2021, the Nigerian Air Force detained approximately five officers for attending and delivering a lecture at an event organized by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Kaduna. The personnel were arrested and held in detention since October 13, 2021, over alleged disobedience to military standing rules, as reported by SaharaReporters, an online news outlet. The silence of the Defence Headquarters in the face of Naik’s controversial statements has raised questions and concerns among the public.
