Prof. Rijiyar Lemu Cautions Media, Security Operatives on Publicizing Crimes
By, Abdulwahab Muhammad Bauchi
Bauchi, Nigeria – Renowned Islamic scholar, Asheikh Professor Muhammad Sani Umar Rijiyar Lemu, has cautioned media organizations and security operatives against the excessive publicization of crimes and immoral acts, warning that such exposure could encourage criminality rather than deter it.
Speaking during the ongoing 2025 Ramadan Tafseer at Gwallaga Mosque, Bauchi, Professor Rijiyar Lemu emphasized that glorifying criminals by giving them a platform to narrate their actions can influence others to escalate from minor offenses to more serious crimes.
"A situation where media organizations or security operatives coax arrested criminals into giving graphic details of their methods in crimes such as murder, kidnapping, robbery, rape, and sodomy amounts to publicizing such acts and making them attractive to dubious elements in society," he stated.
The scholar stressed that Islam strongly condemns the glorification of crimes, citing Suratul Nur, verse 2, and supporting his argument with references from the Qur’an and Hadiths. He advised media houses to focus more on reporting the consequences and punishments of crimes rather than the acts themselves, as this would serve as a deterrent to potential offenders.
"It is now common to hear and read about crimes like sodomy, incest, prostitution, and rape, where culprits or victims narrate the details on radio, television, or print media. Publicizing such graphic accounts makes these crimes appealing to some individuals and contributes to their increase," he warned.
Professor Rijiyar Lemu urged journalists to practice restraint in their reporting and adhere to ethical standards, reminding them of their accountability before Allah. He also called on security agencies to allow the law to take its course without necessarily amplifying immoral acts through media exposure.
The sermon, attended by a large congregation, sparked discussions on the role of the media in crime reporting and the need for ethical considerations in journalism.