Sokoto Man, Family Convert to Christianity Amid Banditry Crisis

Residents of Sabon Birni Local Government Area in Sokoto State were surprised by reports that Musa Abubakar, who had relocated to Taraba State with his family due to banditry, had converted to Christianity.  

It was alleged that Abubakar and his wives were lured into Christianity in Taraba, where they had sought refuge from insecurity. One of his three wives refused to renounce her Islamic faith, left the marriage, and returned to Sokoto.

Abubakar’s conversion drew criticism from his family and community, leading to intervention from political and community leaders. Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko (Sokoto North—APC) formed a three-member committee to engage Abubakar and understand his reasons for leaving Islam.

During the meeting, Abubakar cited the impact of banditry, which left him jobless and forced him to relocate to Taraba.

The committee’s secretary, Malam Bashir Gidan Kanawa, said Abubakar lacked religious knowledge and had been struggling financially due to insecurity.

“So he became frustrated and depressed and decided to relocate to Taraba, where he was lured into Christianity with financial support,” Kanawa said.

Abubakar stated that he had converted months ago but had now reverted to Islam after intervention from his relatives, community, and religious leaders.

“I am now back to my religion of Islam with all my family. I regretted my actions and the inconveniences it might have caused my relatives and leaders. I am back to Sokoto. I will start doing business here,” he said.

His elder brother, Alhaji Adamu Sabon Birni, acknowledged the security challenges in their area but said such hardships should not justify abandoning one’s faith.

“I lost my father to banditry. Bandits killed him after collecting millions of Naira from us. But that did not make me renounce my religion. Banditry is not only in Sokoto, it is everywhere in the North, and our leaders are doing their best to curtail it.

“But we are happy he realized his mistake and reverted to Islam,” he said.

Abubakar’s wives, who spoke separately, also said they would remain in Sokoto and continue practicing Islam.

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