A Northern Nigeria-based Islamic cleric has stirred fresh controversy after reportedly increasing a bounty placed on an unnamed Christian cleric from ₦1 million to ₦2 million, while openly challenging the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest him over what he described as his religious position.
In a viral video circulating on social media and spoken in Hausa, the cleric insisted he had done nothing wrong, defending his earlier comments that anyone who insults Prophet Muhammad should face death.
He questioned the basis for calls demanding his arrest, saying he was being unfairly targeted for expressing his views.
“Some people are saying I have been arrested. For what exactly? What is my offence?” he asked in the recording.
The cleric maintained that his statement about punishment for blasphemy was justified, insisting he had not violated any law.
He also accused some media organisations, particularly those based in southern Nigeria, of leading a campaign against him, singling out SaharaReporters and its publisher, Omoyele Sowore, in his remarks.
According to him, the backlash intensified after he announced a ₦1 million bounty on the unnamed cleric, prompting what he described as calls for his arrest.
He further escalated the matter by increasing the bounty to ₦2 million.
“So, because I said ₦1 million and there are calls for my arrest, I am increasing it by another ₦1 million. It is now ₦2 million,” he said.
The cleric also stated that he would prefer death over detention if arrested, adding that imprisonment would not be acceptable to him.
He argued that his position reflected fairness toward Islam and the Prophet, while accusing authorities of double standards in handling religious-related offences.
Referencing international issues, he compared the situation to cases where individuals were reportedly arrested for making statements against foreign leaders, questioning what he described as inconsistent enforcement of free speech standards.
He further alleged that there are global efforts aimed at influencing religious laws in Nigeria, though he did not provide evidence for the claim.
As of press time, security agencies, including the DSS, have not issued any official response to the cleric’s comments or the renewed bounty declaration.