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

A source familiar with the incident revealed that the cleric’s ordeal began when his bank account was suddenly frozen without any written notice or court order.

The Nigerian government has been accused of secretly detaining a prominent Islamic scholar in Zaria, Kaduna State, Sheikh Sani Khalifa, amid growing concerns over alleged human rights violations and abuse of due process.

Multiple sources told SaharaReporters on Saturday that Sheikh Sani Khalifa has been held in custody for the past 23 days without any formal charges disclosed to him or his family.

According to the sources, his whereabouts remain unknown, and he has not been allowed access to legal representation or communication with relatives, actions said to be in clear violation of Nigeria’s legal framework and international human rights standards.

A source familiar with the incident revealed that the cleric’s ordeal began when his bank account was suddenly 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.

Upon travelling to Abuja to resolve the issue, the source alleged that security operatives intercepted Sheikh Khalifa and took him into custody.

"Upon his arrival in Abuja, security agents appeared and took him away, alleging that a soldier accused of involvement in a coup attempt had once sent him two million naira.

He was reportedly accused of having links to a soldier allegedly involved in a coup attempt, on the grounds that the soldier once transferred ₦2 million into his bank account.

However, another source strongly denied 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.

“What happened was that 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 described as common among religious followers seeking spiritual support from clerics.

“There was no political discussion, no criminal intention, nothing beyond prayers,” the source added.

“Now it is being said 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 not publicly confirmed Sheikh Sani Khalifa’s detention nor disclosed any charges against him.

Family members and associates are reportedly demanding his immediate release or, at minimum, that he be charged in court in accordance with the law.

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