Social media commentator Shehu Gazali Sadiq has described sharia law as the reason behind the prevalence of extremism and terrorism in the country.
Sadiq, in a statement on X on Monday, alleged that the widespread terrorism and poverty in the northern part of the country follows the introduction of sharia law in the region.
He mentioned that contrary to many believes, the introduction of the law in the region does not mitigate against the spread of violence and terrorism in the region.
Sadiq argued that Zamfara State has become the ”epicentre of terrorism” despite being the first state to introduce the law in the North.
He further opined that the law breeds extremism and terrorism everywhere in the world.
Sadiq’s statement reads, ”Zamfara state in Northern Nigeria was the first state in Nigeria to introduce political sharia law.
”Today, Zamfara state is the epicenter of terrorism and poverty in Nigeria.
”Political sharia law anywhere in the world breeds Islamic extremism and terrorism. Don’t forget this.”
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")