‘Sheikh Khalifa Zaria alive, being investigated over ‘prayer money’ from coup suspect’

By Ayox Ojo with agency report

Contrary to wild speculations that he is missing or may have been killed, Kaduna-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Khalifa Sani Abdulkadir also known as Sheikh Sani Khalifa Zaria is alive, PR Nigeria has reported.

The Islamic scholar reportedly disappeared early 2026 after he travelled to Abuja the freezing of his bank account.

His family members reportedly have also unable to reach him since them.

According to the website, Sheikh Khalifa Sani Abdulkadir is being held in “protective custody” by security operatives who are investigating him for alleged complicity the foiled coup plot against the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The website, quoting unnamed sources said Sheikh Khalifa Sani Abdulkadir is being investigated by a joint team of the Nigerian Military and the Department of State Services (DSS) over transfer of about ₦2 million from a military officer currently fingered as a key suspect in the coup plot to his account.

“Sheikh Khalifa is alive and healthy in protective custody. His arrest followed the discovery of funds in his bank account transferred from one of the suspected military officers involved in the attempted coup,” the source disclosed.

But the website quoted sources close to the cleric’s family offer a different perspective, describing the transaction as a routine “spiritual offering.” They claim the soldier obtained the Sheikh’s account number through a student and sent the money with a request for “prayers and blessings”—a common practice among religious followers in Northern Nigeria.

“There was no political discussion, no criminal intention, and nothing beyond a request for prayers,” a family source maintained.

Concerns over the wellbeing of Sheikh AbdulKadir have heightened in the past few days following speculations over his state of health.

Also a fundamental rights suit filed to demand for his release at the Federal High Court in Abuja was heard on February 18 and March 13, 2026.

The presiding judge has adjourned the matter to April 10, 2026, for final judgment.

Also, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had on Wednesday called for the immediate release or prosecution of the cleric by authorities.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Atiku Media Office, the former vice president described the cleric’s prolonged detention as a “grave violation” of his fundamental rights and a threat to Nigeria’s democratic principles.

Atiku expressed concern that a subsisting order of the Federal High Court directing that the cleric be produced in court had allegedly been ignored by authorities.

“The continued detention of Sheikh Khalifa without due process poses a significant threat to the rule of law and risks eroding the fundamental rights guaranteed to all citizens,” he said.

The former vice president also raised concerns over growing public speculation about the cleric’s condition, noting that the silence of authorities has only deepened uncertainty and mistrust.

“Nigeria cannot continue to claim the status of a democracy while the rights of its citizens are routinely and brazenly violated,” he added.

However, PR Nigeria quoted intelligence sources as insisting that the cleric would remain in custody until the investigative cycle is fully closed. “He would soon be arraigned in court for prosecution after the completion of the investigation alongside others,” the official added.