THIS DAWN — The Guguwar Hausawa Tsantsa Movement has issued an open letter to U.S. President Donald J. Trump, urging international support for the abolition of Sharia‑based criminal codes in Nigeria.
The group argues that the current legal framework has entrenched fear, discrimination, and systematic exclusion of Hausawa communities across twelve northern states.
The letter, signed by movement leader Kaltum Alumbe Jitami, frames the appeal as a matter of religious freedom, equal citizenship, and civilian protection. It calls on the United States to encourage Nigerian authorities to reassess the role of Sharia criminal laws within a constitutionally secular federation.
Concerns Over Religious Freedom
According to the movement, Hausawa communities—both Muslim and Christian—have long sought equal protection under Nigeria’s secular constitution. However, they report being stigmatized as “Maguzawa,” a term used pejoratively to suggest religious deviation or cultural inferiority. This classification, the group says, has fostered hostility and rationalized collective punishment.
The letter alleges that extremist groups invoking religious rhetoric have carried out violent attacks in Hausawa villages and towns. Survivors consistently report that assailants use sectarian slogans during assaults, deepening the perception that violence is justified on religious grounds rather than prosecuted as criminality.
Documented Attacks
The movement cites numerous incidents of mass violence. Wedding ceremonies have reportedly been attacked, with newly married couples and relatives killed or abducted for ransom. Christian communities have been particularly affected, though Muslim gatherings have also been targeted.
In some cases, wedding halls and mosques were allegedly surrounded and set ablaze, resulting in hundreds of civilian deaths. Worshippers have also been shot during prayers.
Community leaders highlight specific incidents:
- Zamfara State: 50 killed during prayers.
- Katsina State: 76 killed inside a mosque.
- Sokoto State: 60 killed during prayer.
“These events underscore that the violence does not distinguish between Muslims and Christians, but rather targets a people perceived as vulnerable,” the letter states.
Displacement and Humanitarian Impact
Beyond direct violence, the movement reports large‑scale displacement. Thousands of villages have been vacated, with millions of Hausawa forced from ancestral lands. This has disrupted agriculture, education, and community life, creating long‑term humanitarian consequences.
Farmers allege they are compelled to pay levies described as jizya before planting or harvesting crops. Failure to comply is reportedly met with crop destruction, hostage‑taking, or forced labor demands imposed on youths.
The humanitarian toll is severe. Community estimates suggest tens of millions have been displaced internally, with children disproportionately affected. Reports attributed to UNESCO and child welfare organizations indicate millions of Hausawa children are out of school, fueling cycles of poverty and insecurity.
Education systems in affected regions have collapsed. Schools have been abandoned, teachers have fled, and parents are unwilling to risk their children’s safety. The movement warns that this deprivation threatens regional stability and future development.
Allegations of Selective Enforcement
The letter also raises concerns about selective enforcement of Sharia‑based punishments. Hausawa individuals accused of petty theft or moral offenses have reportedly faced extreme penalties, including amputation or stoning.
Women are described as particularly vulnerable. Cases include accusations of pregnancy outside marriage leading to capital punishment, disproportionately affecting Hausawa women. The movement argues that such practices violate international conventions on women’s rights and human dignity.
Historical Context and Political Concerns
The movement links current challenges to the legacy of the 1804 Sokoto Jihad and subsequent political dominance in northern Nigeria. It claims that this legacy continues in altered form, perpetuating exclusion and insecurity for Hausawa communities.
The letter further expresses concern over public statements by influential clerics, traditional leaders, and politicians perceived as minimizing or justifying extremist violence. The perception that such figures provide ideological cover or political protection for violent actors has eroded trust in institutions meant to safeguard all citizens equally.
“Silence or ambiguity in the face of atrocities is interpreted by victims as tacit approval,” the movement warns.
Appeal to the United States
The Guguwar Hausawa Tsantsa Movement frames its appeal within international human rights norms and Nigeria’s longstanding partnership with the United States. It calls for diplomatic engagement to support constitutionalism, independent investigations into mass violence, and accountability for perpetrators.
“Our call for the abolition of Sharia criminal laws in Nigeria is not an attack on Islam as a faith, but a demand for a legal order that treats every citizen—Hausawa, Christian, Muslim, or otherwise—under one civil law that guarantees equal rights and remedies,” the letter states.
The movement emphasizes that the Hausawa people seek neither privilege nor domination, but safety, dignity, and freedom of belief.
Conclusion
By addressing the letter directly to President Trump, the movement hopes to draw international attention to what it describes as systemic violations of religious freedom and civil protection in Nigeria. It argues that abolishing Sharia criminal codes would strengthen Nigeria’s secular constitution and ensure equal treatment for all citizens.
The appeal underscores the urgency of humanitarian intervention, citing mass killings, displacement, and educational collapse as evidence of a crisis that transcends sectarian boundaries.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with insecurity and debates over the role of religion in governance, the Guguwar Hausawa Tsantsa Movement’s letter adds to growing calls for reforms that prioritize civilian protection and constitutional equality.
