The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has urged the Federal Government not to get too close to Israel in diplomatic or security matters.

In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Nafiu Baba-Ahmad, the Council stressed that Nigeria should not be drawn into the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.

The group strongly criticized the recent political talks between Nigeria and Israel in Abuja, describing the meeting as a sharp departure from Nigeria’s traditional foreign policy, a threat to national integrity, and an insult to the conscience of Nigerians.

The meeting was hosted by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu-Odumegwu, and attended by Israel’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Sharren Haskel-Harpaz.

It reportedly focused on sectors like agriculture, ICT, and education, but also included talks on security cooperation, intelligence sharing, and counter-terrorism.

The Council expressed anger over the inclusion of security discussions, warning that working with Israel in such matters would make Nigeria appear weak and hypocritical in its global call for justice.

They condemned Israel’s military operations in Gaza, calling it one of the worst humanitarian tragedies in recent times, with more than 70,000 Palestinians reported dead and over 160,000 injured since October 2023.

The statement reminded Nigerians that the country’s foreign policy has always stood for justice, freedom, and non-alignment with oppressors. The Council argued that partnering with a nation accused of genocide goes against those principles.

It further called on President Tinubu’s government to reverse what it described as a diplomatic mistake and to maintain Nigeria’s historic support for the Palestinian people.

The Council added that Nigeria must continue to project itself as a nation of justice and moral leadership.

Finally, it urged Nigerians and the global community to remain firm in demanding justice and freedom for Palestine.