ATBU Resolves Mosque Conflict
By Sule Aliyu Bauchi
The management of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, (ATBU) Bauchi, has withdrew land earlier allocated to the Tijjaniyya Muslim Students Association of Nigeria, TIMSAN, and restructured its Islamic leadership to resolve dispute that raised and disconnect peace and tranquility in the campus.
Recall that the crisis initially erupted after the ATBU Shura Council blocked the Tijjaniyya Group from using the main campus mosque for their zikiri's activities.
In response, the university management had allocated a separate piece of land to the Tijjaniyya Group to defuse tensions. However, this move sparked further protests and student unrest, forcing the DSS to step in
The University’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Mallam Zailani Bappah, while addressing a Press conference at the NUJ, Bauçhi announced that the University withdrew the 100ft by 50ft plot earlier allocated to TIMSAN, ATBU Chapter, at the Gubi Campus site.
According to him, the crisis began on Friday, June 26, 2026, when ATBU Chief Imam, Prof. Mansur Isa Yalwa, and his deputy resigned. They cited the university’s approval of land for TIMSAN to build a sect-specific mosque, after a Shura Committee directive barred the group from holding activities in existing university central mosque.
The University spokesman explained that the Chief Imam’s pronouncement during Friday prayers went viral across local, national and international platforms, and triggered serious public reactions and significant security concerns beyond the university.
He said as a result of this development, the Department of State Services (DSS) Bauchi, convened a stakeholders’ meeting on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, that includes representatives of ATBU Management, the ATBU Shura Council, the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, MSSN, ATBU Chapter, and JIBWIS/TIMSAN, ATBU Chapter.
The meeting adopted five-points resolution aimed at restoring order ,peace and tranquility in the University environment.
That All Islamic sects in the University will perform it religious activities at designated times in the university mosque,
The land allocation to JIBWIS/TIMSAN at Gubi Campus is revoked with immediate effect,
The Shura Council and MSSN leadership will be reconstituted to reflect all Muslim sects on campus,
The university will directly appoint the Chief Imam and his deputies and
ATBU will strictly enforce existing rules guiding religious activities on campus.
Zailani Bappah, use this opportunity to commend the proactive role played by the Department of State Security Services ,(DSS) to end the matter amicably
