The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) announced that it did not receive, classify, or approve the release of the controversial hijab-brandishing movie “Three Working Days.”
The board clarified its stance in a statement shared on its official Instagram page on Friday.
According to the statement, the NFVCB is committed to its statutory mandate and will not classify or permit films and video works that abuse, denigrate, or undermine religious, cultural, and ethnic sensibilities.
“NFVCB have received complaints about an upcoming Nigerian movie that associated the Hijab, an outfit attribute to Muslim women that symbolises respect, modesty and religious devotion, with negative moral vices.
“Our check revealed that the movie has not been released and it has not been submitted to the NFVCB for classification as required by the law and our mandate.
“However, we have been able to reach the producers of the (hijab) film and have taken steps to address the concerns raised with the producers.
“We restate that as a classification agency, the NFVCB will not overlook any film or video works, including dramatised short contents (skits) that abuse, denigrate or undermine religious, cultural and ethic sensibilities.
“We commit to contributing to the positive transformation of the Nigerian society through classification of films and video works.
“We fulfill our mandate whilst balancing the need to preserve freedom of expression within the law and limit social, cultural and religious harm caused by films,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nollywood actress Nancy Isime recently shared pictures on Instagram from a bank heist scene in a movie, dressed in Muslim attire, with the caption “Life Lately.”
In the behind-the-scenes photos, she donned a niqab, a veil worn by some Muslim women in public that covers the face except for the eyes, while wielding guns in what appears to be a bank robbery scene.
Ms. Isime’s post also depicted women in hijabs and face veils brandishing guns during a bank heist, sparking widespread outrage within the Muslim community across Nigeria.
In response, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) called for an immediate ban on the film. Ishaq Akintola, the executive director of MURIC, issued a press statement on Thursday urging the NFVCB to take swift action against the film.
