ARREST MAAZI KANAYO FOR INCITING IGBOS TO KILL ALL IGBO MUSLIMS - MURIC

 

MUSLIM RIGHTS CONCERN (MURIC)

‎هيئة حقوق المسلمين

‎Motto: Dialogue, Not Violence

‎31^st December, 2025

‎‎PRESS RELEASE:

‎ARREST MAAZI KANAYO FOR INCITING IGBOS TO KILL ALL IGBO MUSLIMS - MURIC

‎A faith-based human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called for the arrest and prosecution of one Maazi Kanayo for inciting the Igbo people of South Eastern Nigeria to kidnap Igbo Muslims and bury them alive.

‎The call was made in a statement issued on Wednesday, 31^st December, 2025 by the Executive Director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

‎The statement reads:

‎"We are in possession of a viral video clip in which the audio message of one Maazi Kanayo was aired. In the audio, Maazi Kanayo incited  the Igbo people of South Eastern Nigeria to kidnap Igbo Muslims and bury them alive (https://vm.tiktok.com/ZSHERCgnkQAaJ-qwbJx/ This post is shared via TikTok Lite. Download TikTok Lite to enjoy more posts: https://www.tiktok.com/tiktoklite

‎*Igbo Muslims are being threatened with death for embracing Islam: how can we rise to their aid*).

‎‎"Maazi Kanayo specifically directed his potential kidnappers and killers to target Muslims of Igbo extraction living in Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo States. This is the last thing Nigeria needs at a time when the whole country faces serious insecurity.

‎‎"This is an extremely dangerous dimension as the audio puts the lives of thousands of Igbo Muslims on the line. Some Igbo Muslims are traditional rulers in their communities and this implies the likelihood of communal turbulence in the South East. 

‎‎"MURIC therefore calls on the security agencies, particularly men of the Department of State services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police to arrest, detain and prosecute Maazi Kanayo. Every minute counts as the lives of thousands of people hangs in the balance."

‎‎#DSS

‎#NigeriaPolice

‎#PlotToKillIgboMuslims

‎#NoToMuslimGenocide

‎

‎Professor Ishaq Akintola,

‎Founder/Executive Director,

‎Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

JOINT AIRSTRIKES ON TERRORISTS: MURIC SEEKS CLARIFICATIONS

 

MUSLIM RIGHTS CONCERN (MURIC)

‎Motto: Dialogue, No Violence

26th December, 2025‎

‎PRESS RELEASE:

‎JOINT AIRSTRIKES ON TERRORISTS: MURIC SEEKS CLARIFICATIONS

‎‎An Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has demanded clarifications from the Federal Government of Nigeria (FG) over yesterday's airstrikes against suspected terrorists' bases in Sokoto, North Western Nigeria and Offa in Kwara State. 

‎‎In a statement issued on Friday, 26th December, 2025 by the Executive Director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the group said although terrorists deserve nothing but annihilation and attacks on them are justifiable, such attacks must cause no civilian casualties. 

‎‎The statement continues:

‎‎"The United States of America launched airstrikes against alleged terrorists' bases in North Western Nigeria and Offa in Kwara State yesterday, 25th December, 2025. The attack was reportedly carried out in collaboration with the Federal Government (FG) of Nigeria. 

‎‎"While MURIC welcomes airstrikes against terrorists, it frowns upon civilian collateral damages. We gathered that the strike on Jabo area in Tambuwal Local Government actually fell on a farmland. But the strike on Offa, Kwara State, destroyed several buildings (https://leadership.ng/pictorial-apprehension-as-late-night-explosion-rocks-buildings-in-kwara/).

‎‎"MURIC condemns the alleged destruction of the farmland in Jabo area of Sokoto and some private buildings in the strike on Offa, Kwara State. This destruction will cause additional hardship on residents of the area. We therefore demand immediate compensation for the owners of the properties.

‎‎"Our emphasis is on the safety of civilians. We recall our position statement which was made on Sunday, 2nd November, 2025 when the US first threatened to attack Nigeria. We said, 'US strikes will make sense if they are directed at terrorist groups like Boko Haram, ISIS and ISWAP' (https://muslimrightsmuric.blogspot.com/2025/11/trumps-threat-to-attack-nigeria-muric.html?m=1).  

‎‎"We hereby reiterate the statement but we wish to add that innocent Christians too must not become victims of such attacks. For instance, both Muslims and Christians live in Offa and we are yet to ascertain the faith of owners of the buildings that were destroyed yesterday by US bombs.  

‎‎"For the sake of microscopic clarity, we reaffirm that terrorists have lost every right to be treated like normal human beings. They deserve no mercy but innocent Nigerians should not be turned into cannon fodders in the war against terrorists.

‎‎"Notwithstanding, while we welcome US-Nigeria collaboration in the fight against terrorism, we reject the insistence on a false Christian genocide narrative because it gives the impression that these attacks are intended as revenge for Christian victims instead of being reprisals for all victims of terrorist attacks, Muslims and Christians alike.  

‎‎"We condemn the hypocrisy of the US for refusing to sell weapons to the Nigerian government ab initio. The US also blocked the sale of weapons to Nigeria by other countries and restricted the use of the weapons to carry out strikes against terrorists in certain areas when it eventually agreed to sell them to FG. This makes it difficult to refer to recent strikes by the US as friendly actions.

‎The gallant Nigerian soldiers could have wiped out these terrorists had the US hearkened to FG's request at the right time. This is why Nigeria owes the US no gratitude for what it is doing now.

‎ ‎Ceteris paribus, any country which assists Nigeria in killing  terrorists without collateral damage is rendering assistance to the country. 

‎‎However, we must warn against such collaboration with Israel, a confirmed terrorist state which has already been indicted for genocide and whose prime minister has been declared wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC)  since  21st November, 2024 (https://edition.cnn.com/2024/11/21/middleeast/international-criminal-court-issues-arrest-warrant-for-israeli-prime-minister-intl).

‎‎"We strongly assert that terrorists are enemies of civilised society. Those who kill, kidnap and terrorise innocent people, including little children and students, deserve nothing but elimination. 

‎‎"We understand the good intention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the war against terrorists and we call on Nigerians to try to know where FG is coming from. In our own view, FG is determined to eliminate terrorists and it has not relented in its efforts to do this. We therefore demand clarifications on the strikes on Sokoto and Offa. We also demand compensations for the victims." 

‎"As we draw the curtain, we warn that foreign involvement in attacks which kill innocent Muslims is most likely to fuel antagonism between Muslims and their Christian neighbours.  

‎#UsAirstrikes

‎#AvoidCivilianCasualty

‎

‎Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

‎Executive Director, 

‎Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) 

 

CRACKDOWN ON OPPOSITION WILL UNDERMINE DEMOCRACY, IGNITE UNREST - MURIC

 

MUSLIM RIGHTS CONCERN (MURIC)

‎هيئة حقوق المسلمين

‎Motto: Dialogue, Not Violence

‎29th December, 2025

‎PRESS RELEASE:

‎CRACKDOWN ON OPPOSITION WILL UNDERMINE DEMOCRACY, IGNITE UNREST - MURIC

‎As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, a faith-based human rights advocacy group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has appealed to governments at both federal and state levels to desist from stifling opposition in order to avoid political unrest and sustain the country's nascent democracy. 

‎This admonition was given on Monday, 29th December 2025 by the Executive Director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

‎‎In his words, "As we prepare for the 2027 general elections, we have seen the need to appeal to governments at both federal and state levels to desist from stifling opposition in order to avoid political violence, to sustain our nascent democracy and to ensure a free, fair, peaceful and credible general election in 2027."

‎‎The statement continues, "Like a sapling which grows from various seedling and must be jealously watered in order to become a formidable tree, democracy requires careful nurturing from conception to ideological evolution and finally to established and enduring democratic practices capable of engendering civilizational growth and technological advancement. 

‎‎"To nurture democracy, the water used to wet it must contain vital ingredients like tolerance of opposition's view, respect for the rule of law, permission of freedom of expression and the practice of true separation of powers. At no point in time must the executive usurp the role of either the judiciary or the legislature while the creation of a conducive atmosphere for free, fair and credible election is sine qua non."

‎‎MURIC warns against crackdown on opposition members.

‎‎"Already, there are complaints that the body language of President Tinubu's administration in recent time signals systematic crackdown and gradual stifling of opposition figures through government agencies. 

‎‎"Opposition figures complain of the weaponization of anti-graft agencies, involuntary defections, suppression of dissent, attempt to impose a one party state on Nigeria, etc (https://www.thisdaylive.com/2025/12/15/opposition-leaders-raise-the-alarm-accuse-fg-of-plotting-one-party-state/).

‎‎"While a non-govermental body like ours must remain politically neutral, we must not close our eyes to matters such as this because they call attention to likely infringements on Allah-given fundamental human rights of the opposition. It is always safe to assume that the opposition is vulnerable while members of the ruling party are in a position of advantage.

‎‎"Tongues must begin to wag when key figures in the opposition are being invited by security agencies while those who are known to have corruption cases pending in court walk freely on the streets and hobnob with key government figures.

‎‎"MURIC warns against overzealousness on the part of security agencies. Rather we call for undiluted professionalism. People should not be invited just to please the powers that be. At the same time, equal opportunities should be given to political parties, particularly the opposition to have access to public spaces and facilities.

‎‎"The emerging threat to freedom of expression as some members of civil society recently alleged (https://www-vanguardngr-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.vanguardngr.com/2025/12/stop-harassing-journalists-others-serap-nge-tell-tinubu-govt-governors/).

‎‎"It was Martin Niemöller (1892 - 1984) who warned, 'First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me.'

‎‎"Before we dive into cyberspace, we call attention to the absence of a clear cut political ideology in Nigeria. The present 'bolekaja' mentality among politicians and the attendant 'bojuboju' bureaucracy among the civil servants will take us nowhere.

‎‎"Instead, we make a case for liberal democracy to save us from the current political roller coaster. Liberal democracy is a democratic system of government in which the rights and freedoms of individuals are officially recognized and protected while the exercise of political power is limited by the rule of law. We are not there yet."

‎‎#2027GeneralElections

‎#DontStifleOpposition

‎#PracticeLiberalDemocracy

‎

‎Professor Ishaq Akintola,

‎Founder/Executive Director,

‎Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).

 

REVOKE PRO-CHRISTIAN HEALTH PACT WITH US OR EVOLVE PARALLEL PROJECT FOR MUSLIM HEALTH – MURIC

 

MUSLIM RIGHTS CONCERN (MURIC)

‎هيئة حقوق المسلمين

‎Motto: Dialogue, Not Violence

‎23^rd December, 2025

‎‎PRESS RELEASE:

REVOKE PRO-CHRISTIAN HEALTH PACT WITH US OR EVOLVE PARALLEL PROJECT FOR MUSLIM HEALTH – MURIC

‎The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has demanded the revocation of Nigeria’s recent health pact with the United States. It described the health agreement as pro-Christian, parochial, divisive, discriminatory and therefore unacceptable. The group offered the alternative of evolving a similar project for Nigerian Muslims to start at the same time and to grow side by side.

The group made its view known in a statement circulated to the media on Tuesday, 23^rd December, 2025 by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The statement reads:

“The Federal Government (FG) under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed a $2.1billion agreement with the United States (US). The deal is expected to promote Christian healthcare delivery in the country (https://tribuneonlineng.com/us-earmarks-2-1bn-for-nigerias-christian-healthcare-facilities/).

“We denounce this pact in the strongest terms. It is parochial, egregious, divisive, discriminatory and therefore unacceptable. It is a serious misstep. It subjects Muslims to apartheid treatment in their own country.

“As in Animal Farm, FG has demarcated Nigerians into first class and second class citizens contrary to section 42 of the Constitution. FG has placed Muslims in the second windowless compartment.

“Strangely enough, the US will not provide the whole fund, neither will it bring the highest. Nigeria will provide a higher $3.0 billion which is 58.82% of the total fund of $5.1 billion. This is atrocious.

“FG has signed off our common patrimony for only one faith group, the Christian group. This is the commonwealth that we all sweated for. This is the Nigerian tax payers’ money and it is going to be expended on one group only.

“The last time we checked, there was no separate Christian tax system. There was no separate Muslim tax system. All monies go into one vault. There is also no Christian Central bank, no Muslim central bank. What then is the wisdom in this deal with America that seeks to make the Nigerian government spend from our collective wealth for the Christian group only?

“If we keep silent and allow this deal to go through, in the twinkling of an eye, we will soon have Christian roads, Christian railway system, Christian this and Christian that. Our hearts bleed. Who did this to Nigeria? It is neither statesmanship nor good governance.

“If it is America, we must seek other friends, other allies. Whoever dictated this Christian health scheme to us desires only one thing, namely, to break our country. If we are the architects of our own tragedy, we must find ways of pacifying the Muslims. Anything short of that is deliberate provocation of the oppressed Nigerian Muslims.

“Now, how can FG placate the Muslims? The way out is to evolve an alternative like a similar project of equal standard in all ramifications for Nigerian Muslims, to start and finish at the same time and to grow pari passu. The snag there is that FG will have to source for funds for the Muslim health scheme.

“Afterall FG has always provided joint health care for all faiths. As the father of all, FG must provide parity for the Muslims since it has allowed itself to be boxed into a corner by vendors of Christian genocide, a fallacy, a charade, a sham.

“However, FG is advised not to start the pro-Christian, anti-Muslim and anti-wisdom US health scheme without providing an alternative for Muslims unless it is ready to face a plethora of legal, political and parliamentary challenges over it. The best advice, however, is that FG should revoke the health pact. It is satanic.

“Nigeria has already been heavily and lopsidedly structured for Christian ways of life since the colonial days: our education system, the economy, politics, social life, the weekend system, the holidays, name it.

“On the contrary, everything the Muslims have demanded in the past have always been opposed by the Christians. Talk of Islamic banking, shari’ah, sukuk, etc. The launching of halal investment was recently put off after a half-hearted FG faced vehement opposition from an over-fed, over-pampered and entitlement-brandishing CAN.

“It is apparent that FG has succumbed to the US and CAN’s blackmail. Evidence abounds for this claim: from the North Central Christians who are now the new bride and the apple of FG’s eyes in contrast with the Muslim North which has been abandoned to its fate.

“FG keeps removing Northern Muslims, replacing them with Christians from North Central. Two universities were hastily located in the Christian dominated area of Southern Kaduna with no placating move in Muslim Northern Kaduna. The Christians are singing Halleluyah. The Muslims are licking their wounds.

“South West Muslims roam about in the dark, orphaned and marooned. The First Lady, the Mother of the Nation, concentrates her attention and generous gifts mainly to Christian groups and Christian areas in an open manner. This is confrontation. Muslims are being dared. But there is a better way our mother could have done it. Once again, our hearts bleed.

“To add salt to injury, FG wants to bring a discriminatory health care system specially for Christians. The question for the FG is: Are Christians the only ones who voted President Tinubu into power in 2023? Has somebody forgotten something? Are the Christians the only ones who will vote him into power in 2027? Votes apart, are Muslims less homo sapiens who deserve no health care?

“Notwithstanding this provocative treatment, MURIC appeals to Muslims all over the country to hold their peace. We have heard your complaints and we have spoken out loud and clear. We may have said less but we added nothing more. Your cause is just. We will not abandon you.

“Nonetheless, we call for civility and decorum, not rash behaviour. We are ambassadors of Islam, the religion with the culture of good behaviour. We may be at the receiving end today but we assure you that it will not last forever. Nothing does. Our patience, fortitude and peaceful conduct will sell our case, not only today but in coming years and decades. Posterity will bear us witness.”

‎‎‎#NigeriaUSChristianHealthPact

#RevokeChristianHealthPact

#OnRevocationWeStand

‎

‎Professor Ishaq Akintola,

‎Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC). 

 

MURIC DEMANDS IMMEDIATE RESCISSION OF FIRS–FRENCH COMPANY MoU, SUSPENSION OF CONTROVERSIAL TAX LAW, AND PROBE INTO ALLEGED LEGISLATIVE FRAUD

 

MUSLIM RIGHTS CONCERN (MURIC)

‎هيئة حقوق المسلمين

‎Motto: Dialogue, Not Violence

‎21^st December, 2025

‎‎PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC DEMANDS IMMEDIATE RESCISSION OF FIRS–FRENCH COMPANY MoU, SUSPENSION OF CONTROVERSIAL TAX LAW, AND PROBE INTO ALLEGED LEGISLATIVE FRAUD

We at Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) have observed with grave concern the reported Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) entered into between the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and a French company in respect of tax collection and administration in Nigeria. 

MURIC strongly condemns this arrangement, which we consider a clear manifestation of neo-colonial intrusion into Nigeria’s sovereign fiscal affairs. Tax collection is a core attribute of sovereignty, and any agreement that hands over such a sensitive national function to foreign interests is unacceptable, ill-advised, and inimical to Nigeria’s independence.

Even more disturbing are allegations that the newly enacted tax laws contain insertions and alterations that were never passed by the National Assembly. If true, this constitutes an unprecedented assault on democracy, legislative integrity, and the rule of law. The alteration of duly passed legislation after parliamentary approval amounts to legislative fraud and represents a national embarrassment that must not be swept under the carpet.

In view of the foregoing, MURIC hereby makes the following demands:

(i) an immediate rescission of the MoU between the Federal Government, FIRS, and the French company on grounds of sovereignty, national interest, and rejection of neo-colonial economic control; 

(ii) immediate suspension of the application and enforcement of the controversial tax laws pending a full clarification of its authenticity and legislative validity and

(iii) constitution of an independent investigative committee comprising credible retired justices, civil society actors, and relevant stakeholders to thoroughly investigate the alleged alteration of the tax legislation in order to identify, expose all individuals or institutions found culpable in this alleged manipulation of the legislative process for prosecution in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

MURIC emphasizes that the sanctity of democracy depends on strict adherence to due process, transparency, and respect for the will of the legislature. Any attempt to undermine the authority of the National Assembly or to smuggle overreaching provisions into the law is a direct attack on Nigeria’s constitutional order. We therefore call on the Federal Government to act decisively and patriotically to protect Nigeria’s democracy, sovereignty, and legislative integrity.

Silence or inaction in the face of this scandal will only deepen public distrust and further expose the _nation_ to ridicule in the comity of nations.

MURIC remains committed to the defense of justice, accountability, and national dignity.

Signed:

Dr. Muhammad Mansur Aliyu Esq.,

Chairman,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC),

Sokoto Chapter.

 

 

MURIC CONDEMNS DISCRIMINATORY PASSPORT BIOMETRIC POLICY TARGETING MUSLIM WOMEN

 

 

MUSLIM RIGHTS CONCERN (MURIC)*

‎هيئة حقوق المسلمين

‎Motto: Dialogue, Not Violence

‎

‎20th December, 2025

‎

‎PRESS RELEASE:

 

*MURIC CONDEMNS DISCRIMINATORY PASSPORT BIOMETRIC POLICY TARGETING MUSLIM WOMEN*

 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has received and reviewed a formal petition from Mrs Hajiah Madinah Adigun-Oladotun, a Nigerian entrepreneur and media practitioner, detailing a troubling experience during her passport renewal biometric capturing at the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) office in Abuja.

 

According to the petition, officials of the NIS insisted that she must expose her ears before biometric capture could proceed.

 

Despite her clear explanation that her hijab is a religious obligation and not a fashion choice. She was reportedly informed that this requirement was a “new policy” allegedly issued under the authority of the current Honourable Minister of Interior. 

 

The Muslim woman's story is already in the news (https://newsconnectonline.com/businesswoman-calls-out-nigeria-immigration-service-over-discrimination-in-biometric-capturing/) 

 

*MURIC finds this development deeply disturbing, discriminatory, and constitutionally questionable.*

 

This policy infringes on Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). The section guarantees freedom of religion, including the right to manifest such religion in practice and observance. Section 42 further prohibits discrimination based on religion in access to public services.

 

A policy that compels Muslim women to alter their religious appearance as a precondition for accessing passport services amounts to institutional discrimination and religious intolerance, particularly where no compelling security justification has been publicly demonstrated.

 

*MURIC notes with serious concern that, 

Nigerian passport data capturing historically accommodated Muslim women wearing hijab.

 

The petitioner herself had previously completed biometric capturing without such a demand, including in the United States, permitting passport photographs with religious head coverings without showing the ears.

This sudden and unexplained shift demanding the pull back of hijab to expose the ears of Muslim women represents a dangerous regression in Nigeria’s pluralistic and multi-faith administrative tradition.

 

Aside from the constitutional breach, forcing Muslim women to expose their ears creates identity distortion. The petitioner reports possible harassment and questioning wherever she presents such a, distorted document, banks, agencies, international borders, etc because her passport photograph does not reflect her normal religious appearance. This exposes Nigerian citizens to embarrassment and profiling at home and abroad, entirely avoidable with inclusive policies.

 

MURIC is constrained to observe that the policy was attributed to the office of the current Minister of the Interior. While MURIC does not assert motive, it is legitimate and unavoidable for concerned Muslim citizens to question whether a policy that disproportionately burdens Muslim women would have emerged under previous administrations.

 

Is this policy the product of insufficient religious sensitivity, or a failure to appreciate Nigeria’s constitutional diversity?

 

If the policy truly emanates from the Minister’s office, then the Honourable Minister owes Nigerians, especially Muslim women, a clear legal explanation. Policies affecting fundamental rights cannot be imposed by administrative fiat, nor can they be insulated from constitutional scrutiny.

 

MURIC hereby calls for the following immediate actions:

 

1. Public clarification from the Ministry of Interior and the NIS on the legal basis of this so-called “new policy”;

2. immediate suspension of any biometric requirement compelling Muslim women to expose parts of their bodies contrary to their religious obligations;

3. Adoption of a faith-sensitive biometric framework consistent with constitutional guarantees and international best practices and

3. Training and re-orientation of NIS officers on religious rights, professionalism, and respectful engagement with citizens.

 

Nigeria is a multi religious state. It is neither secular nor anti-religious. Any policy, therefore, that forces citizens to choose between their faith and access to public services has no place in a constitutional democracy. 

 

MURIC will not hesitate to pursue all lawful avenues, including engagement with oversight bodies and strategic litigation, should this discriminatory practice persist.

 

 

Signed:

Barrister Taofeeq Jaji, 

Chairman, 

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

Kwara State Chapter, Nigeria.

 

FROM YORUBALAND TO EBIRALAND: MASQUERADES ARE BECOMING A NUISANCE — MURIC

 

MUSLIM RIGHTS CONCERN (MURIC)

‎هيئة حقوق المسلمين

‎Motto: Dialogue, Not Violence

‎18th December, 2025

‎‎PRESS RELEASE:

FROM YORUBALAND TO EBIRALAND: MASQUERADES ARE BECOMING A NUISANCE — MURIC

— Urges authorities to curb the excesses of the traditionalists

An Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has once again condemned the recurrent violence  occasioned by the activities of Masquerades. The call became necessary as an Obangede masquerade, in Kogi Central, was reported to have physically harrassed, assaulted and humiliated a Muslim sister for wearing a Niqab (full Islamic body cover for women).

The condemnation was contained in a statement released on Thursday, 18th December, 2025, by the Kano State Chapter Chairman of the rights advocacy group, Malam Hassan Sani Indabawa.

The statement further added:

"Our Kano State office recently received a complaint of an assault, physical harassment and humiliation of a Muslim sister by a Masquerade while conducting her lawful activities, for wearing a Niqab. This incident occurred on the afternoon of November 25th, 2025, at Obangede, Kogi Central, Kogi State. We view this as an extension of notorious rights abuses by the traditionalists.

"MURIC, it would be recalled, has been consistent in its public condemnation of masquerades who assault Muslims, invade mosques, and violate religious rights in Southwest Nigeria and now it has happened in Kogi State in Northcentral.

*"The tradionalists are known to be highly intolerant, combative and violent while hiding behind a cultural tradition. Recent reports, for instance, have highlighted specific clashes that have drawn strong condemnation from MURIC and other well meaning Nigerians.*

"Tragic incidents involving masquerades in the Ebiraland region of Kogi State are a recurring issue, often stemming from violent clashes between youth groups, community unrest, and disregard for local regulations.

"In January 2025, a violent clash occurred between youths from the Obangede and Okaito-Usungwe communities in the Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State during a Masquerade festival. The incident resulted in the death of a lady and several injuries.

*"On November 25th, 2025, an innocent student, Bello Ize Halimat, was physically assaulted, verbally abused and spiritually traumatised by a Masquerade just for dressing as a Muslim.*

"We at MURIC view this primitive act as utterly disgusting, morally rephensible, socially inchoate and profoundly unjustifiable. The condemnable acts of the traditionalists are becoming more alarming and worrying.

"Masquerades are notoriously known for wilful disregard for the rule of law. Incidents have occurred where masquerades and their supporters flouted explicit directives and laws restricting their activities, leading to confrontations with security operatives and community leaders. In one case, a masquerade's costume was publicly burned by community leaders in Eika Adagu-Okehi LGA to enforce a 'no masquerade' law. The incident occurred in late August, 2024.

"Due to the persistent issues of violence, extortion, and public disturbance, there are ongoing calls from residents, local leaders, and rights groups for stricter regulations or the complete prohibition of masquerading in Ebiraland, and other parts of Nigeria to restore peace and order.

"We therefore demand a thorough investigation from the Kogi State Command of the Nigeria Police on the recent incident involving Miss Bello Ize Halimat and to consequently prosecute the culprits and their custodians.

"We equally call on the Kogi State government to confine activities of the Masquerades to compel masquerades and their followers to ensure peaceful conduct and social decorum. to ensure." 

Hassan Sani Indabawa,

Chairman,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC),

Kano State Chapter.