Prominent Ijaw ethnic rights activist and former militant leader Alhaji Dokubo Asari has publicly condemned what he describes as unfair treatment of Muslims in Nigeria, attributing the rise in Islamophobia to the rhetoric of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
In a strongly worded statement, Asari expressed deep concern over the targeting of Muslims “without committing any crime—simply because they are Muslims.” He singled out Trump, accusing him of turning “hatred against Islam into a political weapon,” despite being aware of the faith’s global growth.
A convert to Islam, Asari emphasized his personal commitment to the religion. “I was not born a Muslim; I accepted Islam by choice. All my relatives are Christians,” he stated. “Wherever I go in the world, I will proudly declare that I am a Muslim. I will never deny my religion until the day I die.”
He also defended the teachings of Islam, asserting that the faith has never encouraged criminality. “Islam has never taught me to commit any crime,” he added.
Asari’s comments come amid ongoing global and local debates about religious tolerance, security profiling, and the impact of international political discourse on local interfaith relations in Nigeria—a nation deeply divided along religious lines.
His outspoken stance highlights the growing unease among some Nigerian Muslims who feel increasingly stigmatized, both domestically and as a result of inflammatory statements from foreign leaders. The activist’s background as a southern non-indigene Muslim also adds a significant layer to his perspective, challenging regional and religious stereotypes within the country.
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