Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A video circulating widely on social media shows the prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Murtala Bello Asada test-firing a firearm in a forest, a dramatic act of self-defence that has ignited a fierce national debate after he reportedly received credible death threats. In the footage, which surfaced on Saturday, August 22, 2026, the cleric is seen handling and shooting what appears to be a double-barrel gun in a wooded area. He also shared photographs of himself holding the weapon, sending an unflinching message to his alleged tormentors: “To hell with them; damn them”.
The provocative display follows a series of violent attacks on the Sokoto-based cleric, who has been a vocal critic of notorious banditry kingpin Bello Turji. In January 2025, Sheikh Asada narrowly survived an assassination attempt at his residence in Sokoto metropolis after armed men attacked his home. He was able to fend off the assailants using gunfire. The attempt was widely believed to be connected to his ongoing feud with Turji, who had previously threatened to kill the cleric and accused him of inflaming tensions.
The video has triggered a torrent of mixed reactions across social media platforms. Critics argue that a prominent religious leader publicly demonstrating firearm use could normalise gun possession in a society already awash with weapons. One Facebook user, Ayuba Hassan, wrote: “Very soon, everyone will be carrying a gun because of fear of being attacked”. Muhammad Iyadh also questioned the cleric's actions, raising doubts about whether displaying a firearm was consistent with Islamic teachings and urging reliance on Allah.
However, a significant number of Nigerians have rallied behind Sheikh Asada, arguing that the credible threats against his life justify his actions. Nazifi M Aliyu II defended the cleric, stating: “What the cleric did is right because I see no reason why someone should wait for a person to come and kill him before he protects himself”. Another user, Aminu Saidu Knaisa, supported the position, declaring that self-defence is very important.
The latest controversy has renewed a critical national conversation about the state of insecurity in Nigeria, the proliferation of firearms, and the government's failure to protect its citizens. The incident highlights a troubling reality: citizens, including religious leaders, are being forced to take up arms to defend themselves against bandits and terrorists who operate with impunity. As the debate rages on, Sheikh Asada's actions serve as a stark reminder of the desperate lengths to which Nigerians are being pushed in the face of a security apparatus that has consistently failed to guarantee their safety.
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