MURIC BLASTS MUSLIMS WHO DARED COVID-19

31^st March, 2020

               

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC BLASTS MUSLIMS WHO DARED COVID-19

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned Muslim groups who defied government’s directives and admonitions from the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) concerning social distancing until COVID-19 comes to an end. This was sequel to reports of lack of compliance in some parts of the country, particularly in Kusada, Katsina State, Kaduna and Abeokuta, Ogun State.  

A statement circulated to the media by the director of the human rights organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola, described the action as grossly irresponsible, highly despicable and certainly unIslamic. The statement was dated Monday, 31^st March, 2020.  

“We have received reports that on Friday, 28^th March, 2020, Muslims observed Jumu’ah prayer in large numbers in three places around the country: Kusada, Kusada Local Government of Katsina State, Kaduna in Kaduna State and in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

“In the Kusada episode, the Imam who led the prayer, Mallam Hassan, was arrested. This sparked a riot the next day. One person was killed. Kusada police station was burnt down and the official quarters of the Divisional Police Officer was razed down along with seven vehicles and ten motorcycles (https://www.kanyidaily.com/2020/03/coronavirus-muslim-youths-burn-police-station-in-katsina-for-stopping-their-prayer.html). We strongly condemn this act of brigandage and we demand that the leaders of the uprising be brought to book. Islam is about justice. People should be held accountable for their actions otherwise there will be no peace in the society.

“In Kaduna, two Imams were arrested for flouting the state’s public health preventive measures. Mallam Aminu Umar Usman and Mallam Umar Shangel led Jumu‘ah prayers in Malali and Ungwan Kanawa in Kaduna North Local Government Area (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/03/covid-19-el-rufai-arrests-2-imams-for-conducting-jumaat-prayers/).

“In Abeokuta, Ogun State, a mosque belonging to the National Joint Muslim Organisations (NAJOMO) situated at Car Wash, Adatan, was raided by security agents for conducting Jumu’ah prayer last Friday. Although the Imam, Barrister Moshood Taiwo, was not detained, the jumu’ah prayer was disrupted.

“We strongly condemn the actions of these groups. Their actions are grossly irresponsible, highly reprehensible and certainly unIslamic. It is a manifestation of acrobatic religiousity, gymnastic spirituality, articulated piety and tramadolised God-consciousness. These groups are misled. They are simply giving credence to the words of Karl Marx who described religion as the opium of the people. But it can only be so among those who fail to follow the true tenets of Islam.

“Our reaction is based on the fact that those Muslims cannot claim to be unaware of the massive information outlets used by the various state governments to sensitize the citizens on the danger in crowding during this COVID-19 pandemic.

“Worse still, their action showed gross disobedience, recalcitrance, rebellion and irredentism in the face of the declaration of the NSCIA which is the recognized umbrella organization for all Islamic groups in the country. We are particularly disappointed by the attitude of the NAJOMO group in Ogun State because NAJOMO was founded by Late Dr. Abdul Lateef Adegbite who was the former secretary general of the NSCIA.

“The energetic and dynamic former secretary general demonstrated total commitment to the unity of all Nigerian Muslims. It is a disservice to the memory of the late NSCIA scribe for NAJOMO group to disobey NSCIA’s assembly advisory. We advise the group to apologise to the Ogun State branch of the NSCIA for embarrassing the state’s Muslim Ummah and the entire Muslim community of Nigeria.

“In the same vein, the Muslim dissident groups in Katsina, Kaduna and Ogun states should apologise to their respective state governors for endangering the lives of residents of the state through their effrontery in organizing jumu’ah prayers which is capable of aiding the spread of the dreaded Corona virus. In addition, the three Imams should submit themselves for testing. The state governments should test them to know their COVID-19 status as soon as possible. If any of them tests positive, all those who prayed behind them should be traced and quarantined with members of their families in order to curtail further spread. Unless this is done, Nigeria is still playing Jekyll and Hyde with COVID-19 pandemic.

“MURIC will stand by the course of justice without bias or sentiment. We will not condone extremism. Neither shall we pat Muslims who do wrong on the back. We will defend Muslims against stigmatization, oppression and persecution, but we will not support Muslims who do wrong.

“Our stand is based on the hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in which he said, ‘Help your brother whether he is the oppressor or he is the oppressed. The Prophet was asked, ‘But how can we help him when he is the wrong-doer?’ He replied, ‘Hold his hand (to prevent him from committing wrong).’ Therefore, we have a duty to discourage fellow Muslims from doing wrong and we will not abdicate this responsibility. If we make noise when non-Muslims wrong us, we must not keep quiet when fellow Muslims wrong the rest of society. That, to us, is justice and fairplay.

“We must admit that government has been fair to all in this matter. Mosques are not the only target. Security agents stormed churches in Ogun State last Sunday 22^nd March, 2020 (https://thenationonlineng.net/police-storms-churches-in-ogun-disperse-worshippers/). If any Muslim complains that Imams are being arrested, he should be reminded that pastors have also been arrested for holding church services during this Corona virus crisis.

“Police last week invaded the Apostolic Faith Church in Shagamu, Ogun State and arrested the pastor (https://www.today.ng/coronavirus/police-storm-ogun-church-defying-restriction-order-287273). Pastor U Uden, overseer of the Apo-based Jesus Reigns Family Church was also arrested in Abuja for conducting church service on Sunday, 29^th March, 2020 (https://punchng.com/covid-19-abuja-pastor-arrested-for-holding-sunday-service/).

“To cut a long story short, we denounce the defiance of government’s no- assemblies directive by some mosques and commend the large majority of Imams who complied with the instruction. We affirm that MURIC will not compromise Islamic ethical standards. We urge erring Imams to retrace their steps and apologise to the authorities.”  

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

MURIC SUPPORTS BUHARI’S BAN ON MOVEMENT

30^th March, 2020

               

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC SUPPORTS BUHARI’S BAN ON MOVEMENT

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has thrown its weight behind the ban on movement in Abuja FCT, Lagos and Ogun states. President Muhammadu Buhari in a nationwide broadcast yesterday ordered residents of Lagos, Abuja and Ogun states to stay at home for fourteen days from Monday 30^th March, 2020. While some Nigerians have criticized the directive, MURIC has described it as the wisest decision in the present circumstances.

“Restriction of movement in Abuja FCT, Lagos and Ogun has become sine qua non in the battle against further spread of Covid-19. The president made the wisest decision in the present circumstances. We wonder what those who criticized the announcement really want for Nigeria. These are the same people who claimed that the president had been infected with the Corona virus and challenged him to show his face. They demanded action but when action was eventually taken, they have taken offence again. We urge Nigerians to ignore hypocrites and parasites whose pathological hatred for Buhari and what he stands for have beclouded their sense of judgement.   

“The death toll in Italy for yesterday alone rose to 890 because the citizens did not take stay-at-home advice seriously when they were told to do so. Corona virus cases in Italy was only 21 by 21^st February, 2020. But it rose sharply to 86,498 on 27^th March, 2020. It could not have become so bad if they had hearkened to advice.

“It is the same story for many other countries currently facing shocking rise in corona tolls. America had just 16 cases of corona by 21^st February but it rose to 100,037 by 27^th March. From 18 cases on 26^th February, France rose to 32,964 on 27^th March. Within the same period, Spain skyrocketed from 25 cases to 64,059 while Iran snowballed from 5 cases to 32,332.

“These are advanced countries with state of the art medical facilities. What chance do we have? Is there still any Nigerian who doubts the capacity of the average Nigerian to tow the path of indiscipline without enforcement? We know ourselves. It is only those who want to see more bodybags on the streets who are trying to mislead the public. Therefore, this ban is in order.

“MURIC advises residents of Abuja, Lagos and Ogun states to comply with the restriction. It is only for a limited period of two weeks and it is all in our own interest. In addition, we urge people in other states to self-isolate and resist the urge to mingle. Avoid social events and meetings. Postpone earlier schedules and appointments. What is important for now is your life. Keep a safe distance of at least one meter (3 feet) from one another, wash your hands frequently and obey other instructions from health officials and the authorities.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

CORONA VIRUS: PRAY FOR ABBA KYARI, EL-RUFAI

29^th March, 2020

          

PRESS RELEASE:

CORONA VIRUS: PRAY FOR ABBA KYARI, EL-RUFAI

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has urged Nigerians to pray for Abba Kyari, the Chief of Staff to President Buhari and the governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai. It will be recalled that Abba Kyari reportedly tested positive to the novel corona virus two days ago while Mallam El-Rufai announced his status yesterday evening.

The appeal was contained in a statement distributed to the media on Sunday, 29^th March, 2020 by Professor Ishaq Akintola, director of the human rights organization.    

MURIC said, “Both Abba Kyari and Governor Nasir El-Rufai deserve prayers from Nigerians. They are both tested and trusted. Both of them are the embodiments of loyalty, trust, dedication and service to humanity. Abba Kyari has served Nigeria with all his strength. He proved a most loyal and dedicated aide to President Muhammadu Buhari particularly during the latter’s prolonged illness. El-Rufai has exhibited exemplary leadership, uncommon courage and immense love for the citizens of Kaduna State.

“We call on Nigerians to pray for their quick recovery. Let us remember them in our supplications every hour of the day. To the duo of Abba Kyari and El-Rufai, we say, ‘Though you are in isolation we are with you in spirit. You are not alone. The good people of Kaduna and Nigerians in general are with you. We are confident that Almighty Allah, the great healer, will heal you and you will emerge from isolation to continue your good work.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

COVID-19: MURIC BACKS AREGBESOLA ON PRISON DECONGESTION

28^th March, 2020

          

PRESS RELEASE:

COVID-19: MURIC BACKS AREGBESOLA ON PRISON DECONGESTION

The media yesterday widely reported the Minister of Internal Affairs, Rauf Aregbesola, as calling for decongestion of correctional centres in order to prevent the dreaded Covid-19 from spreading into them. The minister’s call has been backed by an Islamic human rights group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC). This was revealed in a statement circulated to pressmen by the director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Saturday, 28^th March, 2020.

According to MURIC, “Inmates of correctional centers are complete human beings and Allah gave them fundamental human rights. They have the right to live, except those that have been condemned to death. Therefore the Nigerian government has no moral right to keep them in correctional centers where they are gravely exposed to Corona virus.

“In the face of Covid-19’s palpable threat, the Federal Government will be running foul of Section 33 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which guarantees right to life if it fails to free inmates who have not been sentenced to death.

“We all know what is happening around the world today regarding the devastating power of this virus. It is killing people in their thousands on a daily basis. The United States now has more than 100,000 cases as at Saturday 28^th March, 2020. Death toll in Italy is now 9,134. There are now 579,892 infections in the world with 26,504 deaths. We also know the poor state of our correctional centres. They are not conducive to human habitation. They are over-congested. Is it right to continue to keep people in jail in such a situation?      

“In particular, there are 54 Nigerian soldiers serving a ten-year sentence in some of the centres. These 54 gallant soldiers were ordered to confront Boko Haram fighters who were armed to the teeth. But our soldiers had very poor weapons. They asked for better equipment and for that they were promptly rounded up, prosecuted and sentenced to death. Their death sentence was later commuted to ten years in jail. Yet it was their demand for better weapons which exposed the $2.1 billion armsgate.

“MURIC regards this as a miscarriage of justice. We have made several appeals on the issue of the 54 soldiers to President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and even the present Minister of Internal Affairs, Rauf Aregbesola. Last month, we sent a petition to the National Assembly for the intervention of our lawmakers. We are still waiting for the Senate president and the Speaker of the House of Representatives to act on the petition.

“The interest shown by Aregbesola raises our hope. Inmates do not deserve to die like chicken inside correctional centres over this marauding virus, Covid-19. Something must be done urgently. We urge governors, chief judges, etc to pay urgent visits to correctional centres with a view to releasing inmates in large numbers before this virus invades their poorly equipped abodes.  

“We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to exercise his prerogative of mercy to free all Nigerian prisoners except those on the death row. Nigeria has 74,927 inmates in 244 centres spread around the country. They are Nigerians and they have the right to live. Covid-19 is death sentence for them because they have little or no access to testing equipment or any form of medication.  

“Already, 19 prisoners in 10 prisons have tested positive in British jails. We do not know exactly if the virus is already in our jails because we do not have the capacity to test our inmates yet. Nigeria must emulate other countries of the world which have taken proactive measures to combat the spread of Covid-19 by decongesting their prisons.

“New York is already warming up to release hundreds of inmates for fear of the virus spreading among them. Iran took the lead a few days ago by setting 80,000 prisoners free. Poland freed 12,000 inmates yesterday. Nigeria should act now before it is too late. Let my people go. Set the 54 soldiers free.

“If Iran can loosen the chains around the waists of 80,000 prisoners, if Poland can free 12,000 inmates, Nigeria should allow its 74,297 to go home instead of tying them up for corona virus to swallow them (except those who have been sentenced to death). The time to act is now. It is dreadful already to be in any Nigerian jail. But it becomes worse when subjected to thanatophobia courtesy of the dreaded Covid-19. Nigerian inmates were coping with the horror of poor jail conditions but now it is compounded by the fear of Corona virus. It is capable of resulting in riots in our correctional centres.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

CORONA VIRUS: TIME TO COME TOGETHER

27^th March, 2020

          

PRESS RELEASE:

CORONA VIRUS: TIME TO COME TOGETHER

As the dreaded global pandemic, corona virus, debilitates populations worldwide, an Islamic human rights outfit, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has reminded Nigerians of different callings that there is no better time to come together. MURIC revealed this in a statement issued on Friday, 27^th March, 2020 by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

“The latest toll from Corona Virus, also known as Covid-19, is alarming. As at today, Friday 27^th March, 2020, this dreaded virus has taken the lives of 24,071 people around the world. According to Worldometer, there are also 531,799 confirmed cases of infections. With the number of deaths now at 1,000, the United States now leads in the area of fatality.

“Nigerians should not lose sight of the hidden message in this global tragedy. The most important message is that despite belonging to different faiths, races, colour, etc, the whole of mankind is woven together in fate. We should therefore seek to sink our differences. We should put all human heads under the same thinking cap and eliminate stigma, racism and all forms of discrimination. Our watchword should be humanity first.

“Nigerians should not allow this opportunity to slip by without taking a giant leap across the yawning abyss. Nigerians are too divided over primordial, infinitesimal and inconsequential things. It is either over creed, ethnicity or politics. Yet there are still divisions within every issue at stake.

“Although Muslims and Christians tear at each other’s throats in this country, Muslims still have differences within Islamdom and ditto for Christians. Again, while the Igbo rave at Hausa-Fulani, both groups still nurse deep-seated intra-ethnic grievances. The Egba/Ijebu and Modakeke/Ife rivalry is well known among the Yoruba. Inter-party bitterness in Nigeria may be condemnable but the intra-party intolerance is most despicable.

“Yet right now a common enemy in the name of Corona Virus is on the prowl. America’s nuclear bomb and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) are useless against it. No alliance is being contemplated by the West to fight the common foe. This makes mockery of man’s inhumanity to man. We marshalled the most dangerous weapons against fellow homo sapiens but failed to prepare to defend humanity against corona virus.  

“MURIC charges leaders of different religions and ethnic groups in Nigeria to create new bridges at this particular period. Let us make new compromises towards resolving seeming intractable problems. Let us be persuaded by the phenomenon of Covid-19 which knows no colour, no race, no political party or ethnicity. It does not discriminate between a Muslim, a Christian or the adherents of any other religion. This is the time for all of us to sink our differences. What matters is our dear country, Nigeria. What matters is humanity.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

CORONA VIRUS: MURIC PRAYS FOR ATIKU’S SON, OTHERS

24^th March, 2020

          

PRESS RELEASE:

CORONA VIRUS: MURIC PRAYS FOR ATIKU’S SON, OTHERS

Media reports yesterday confirmed that a son of former Vice-President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has tested positive to Covid-19. The young man reportedly arrived from a foreign country one week ago.     

Reacting to the development, an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has called on its members throughout the country to pray for the young man. This was revealed in a statement issued by the director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Tuesday, 24^th March, 2020.

“We are already in prayer sessions for the quick recovery of one of the sons of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. No young Nigerian deserves to go through this trauma, least of all the case under study. We urge all our members and indeed all Nigerians to pray for his early recuperation.

“The young man is our brother in faith. We feel his pain. Our sympathy goes to him, his father the former Vice-President of Nigeria and the entire Atiku Abubakar family. We pray that Almighty Allah will touch the young man with His special healing. Allah has said none can heal except Him (mon dhaa ladhii yashfa‘u ‘indahu ilaa bi idhnihi Glorious Qur’an 2:255). Medical doctors and nurses can only care. Healing is in the hands of Allah.

“Our special request to Muslims is that they should combine Aayat al-kursiyy with laqad jaaakunm (Qur’an 9:128 – 129) in prayer for him. In particular, we urge individual Muslims to recite these two powerful prayers morning and night to invoke Allah’s mercy on all Nigerians infected with Covid-19 and on our country Nigeria in this trying period.

“We counsel against the politicization of the illness of the son of the former Vice-President. We do not know those who will survive this pandemic. Covid-19 knows no political party or ethnicity. It knows no race, no colour. More importantly, it does not discriminate between a Muslim, a Christian or the adherents of any other religion. This is the time for all of us to forget our differences. Covid-19 is teaching us to come together to find solutions to our common challenges.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

COVID-19: DON’T BE MORE MUSLIM THAN MUHAMMAD (SAW)

23^rd March, 2020

          

PRESS RELEASE:

COVID-19: DON’T BE MORE MUSLIM THAN MUHAMMAD (SAW)

Amidst reports that a few Muslims still insist on conducting congregational prayers, particularly the weekly Friday Jumu‘ah prayer despite the ravaging Corona Virus in all parts of the globe, an Islamic human rights group has warned Muslims to eschew extreme positions in matters of religion.

This was stated in a press statement issued by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) on Monday, 23^rd March, 2020. The statement was signed by the director of the group, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

“We are nonplussed by the lethargy manifested by some Muslims towards the danger posed by Covid-19. In spite of government’s efforts at sensitizing the general public on the need to shun gatherings, many Muslims are still calling our office asking us to speak against the ban on public gatherings so that they could observe Jumu‘ah service.

“Let us make our position clear on this. MURIC will not support any Muslim group or individual found contravening the ban on public assembly because the ban is in the best interest of citizens. It is not targeted at any religious group.

“Saudi Arabia cancelled all Jumu‘ah prayers. It also suspended ‘Umrah. For the first time in history, nobody is performing tawaaf at the Haram. In Kuwait, adhan (call to prayer) has been changed from ‘Come for prayer’ (haya ala al-salat) to ‘Pray in your houses (soluu fii buyuutikunm). But here in Nigeria we still find a handful of Muslims who insist on conducting Jumu’ah service. Do we want to be more Muslim than Muhammad (peace be upon him)?

“MURIC warns against extremist propensities. We all can see where Boko Haram has taken us. It started from little excesses like this. Islam is a religion of moderation. It is dangerous phenomena like Corona Virus that the Glorious Qur’an warned us against when it said ‘Do not make your hands contribute to your own destruction, but do good for Allah loves those who do good (Wa laa tulquu biaydiikunm ila al-tahlukah, Qur’an 2:195)

“Prophet Muhammad said, ‘We (Muslims) are a nation of middle-roaders’. He also said on another occasion, ‘The curse of Allah is upon extremists’. He taught us to be wary of harm, i.e. we should not endanger our lives unnecessarily : This he did by saying, ‘Where there is a tangible harm, it ought to be removed.’

  

“We therefore warn fellow Muslims against tramadolised religiousity and articulated spirituality. The former manifests when Muslims insist on observing Jumu’ah in this corona-infested atmosphere while the latter is exhibited when they insist on conducting asalatu sessions in this dangerous period.

“MURIC salutes the umbrella Islamic organisation in Nigeria, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) for enlightening Muslims in the country on the need for obeying government’s instructions on Covid-19. NSCIA’s statement on the epidemic was scholarly, comprehensive and insightful. We also commend the efforts of other Islamic organisations which issued public statements announcing the stoppage of all gatherings of their followers for either prayers, meetings or social events like naming, marriage and funeral ceremonies until the Corona Virus crisis is over.

“We urge other groups to follow suit. All Islamic organisations should emulate the NSCIA by obeying government’s directives. The Glorious Qur’an directed Muslims to obey those in position of authority (Qur’an 4:59). Based on this, MURIC will not entertain any complaints brought by recalcitrant elements. We base our actions on rationality and credibility. We have no apologies for those whose requests were rejected by us when they sought our backing to conduct Jumu’ah prayer at a time that the whole world is battling Covid-19. We urge them to go back to the true teachings of Islam on such matters.

“Furthermore, we call the attention of such cynics to the gravity of the situation. Germany yesterday banned any gathering that is more than two people (https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/22/world/europe/germany-coronavirus-budget.html). Italy is under total lockdown as the number of fatalities rose to 4,825 by yesterday. Lagos initially limited the number of people allowed in any gathering to 50 but this was later reduced to 20 and it is all in our interest as the number of infections in Nigeria rose to 27 yesterday.

“We Muslims must face reality. The manner of congregational salat inside the mosque has all the likelihoods of infection. We stand shoulder to shoulder and feet to feet. There must be no gap between a worshipper and the man standing next to him. On the contrary, health experts recommend at least one meter between persons in social interaction in order to prevent infection.

“MURIC urges all Muslims to see government’s instructions on Covid-19 as necessary and beneficial to them. It is therefore in their best interest to cooperate. Zuhr prayers should be offered at home in place of Jumu’ah. The same may be done with the five congregational prayers where the number of those in the mosque is more than 20. However, we strongly advise praying daily salat at home with members of the family as domestic jama’ah.

“We call on Muslims to supplicate individually for Nigeria to overcome this humongous health challenge within a short time. Individual Muslims are also urged to seek forgiveness from Allah for the interruptions in our pattern of worship. We remind Nigerian Muslims that Islam teaches moderation, not extremism. We therefore advise against gymnastic exhibition of piety. There is no point trying to be more Muslim than Muhammad (SAW).

Professor Ishaq Akintola,

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

IGNORE QUIT NOTICE TO HAUSA-FULANI IN YOURUBALAND

22^nd March, 2020

          

PRESS RELEASE:

IGNORE QUIT NOTICE TO HAUSA-FULANI IN YOURUBALAND

The ‘leader’ of the Amotekun security outfit has allegedly asked all Hausa/Fulani citizens resident in the South West to quit within seven days. An online media house (https://www.naijagist.com.ng/all-hausa-fulani-should-leave-lagos-state-within-7days/?fbclid=IwAR2KI2IrJj726E_Jqqhs3oTu2wUqdLlM41pLOCn-tQuw1sFhdf-mnTM_LxE) quoted the Amotekun leader as saying that the pipeline explosion which occurred last week at Abule Ado in Lagos State was an act of terror perpetrated by the Hausa/Fulani.

But an Islamic human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has rejected the report. MURIC described it as fake news and asked Nigerians to ignore the story. This was contained in a press statement issued by Dr. Sidiq Okanlawon Uthman media aide to the director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

“It is fake news. We call on Nigerians to ignore the report. There is no such thing. How can anybody attribute an obvious accident along the pipelines to innocent citizens? It doesn’t add up. It is laughable, ludicrous and comical. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) gave a graphic picture of what happened exactly. According to the NNPC, a truck hit gas cylinders which exploded and oil pipelines later caught fire. How does that resemble terrorism?

“NNPC has all the tools for the investigation and we stand by NNPC’s story. It is credible. The allegation of an act of terrorism by the Hausa/Fulani resident in Lagos is false, baseless and unacceptable. Where is their proof? We also have a strong doubt about the authenticity of the statement credited to the Amotekun leader.

“Why was the leader’s name not mentioned? Who actually made the allegation? We urge Nigerians, especially Lagosians to go about their legitimate businesses without any fear. Amotekun leaders know the consequences of such a quit notice. Apart from being illegal, it will definitely elicit backlashes in form of retaliation against Yoruba citizens in the North. At worst, it is sheer grandstanding. Note that a similar quit notice was given to the former Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, last week as he was asked to leave Lagos.

“We have no scintilla of doubt that Yoruba Muslims have no hand in such acts of hostility against Hausa/Fulani, Igbo or any other tribe who reside in the South West. Islam recognizes the unity of all mankind. We therefore urge the various ethnic groups living in the South West to eschew bitterness towards one another.

“In particular, we urge the various Islamic organisations in the South West to speak up on the threats being issued against the Hausa/Fulani by Amotekun handlers. This is important in view of the fact that Muslims form a majority of the population in the sub-region. Silence over the threats and intimidation is tantamount to endorsement. It is time for Islamic organisations in Yorubaland to speak out.

“By the way, is this part of the hidden agenda in the Amotekun scheme? We said so earlier. There is more to the Amotekun project than meet the eye. Unfortunately governors in the region have not given enough thought to the idea before plunging headlong into it. There must be a rethink now that Amotekun ideologues have started revealing their real colour.

“MURIC appeals to the press to maintain the ethics of the profession. This particular story has all the paraphernalia of fake news. A volatile statement is attributed to a faceless Amotekun leader. His name is not mentioned. That is sensationalisation. It is designed to create panic.  

“We charge the security agencies to be more proactive. We urge more vigilance around all non-indigenes because every Nigerian citizen has the right to live or do business anywhere in the country.”

Dr. Sidiq Okanlawon Uthman

Media Aide to the Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

CHANGE AMOTEKUN’S NAME TO ‘ODUDUWA GUARDS’ - MURIC

20^th March, 2020

          

PRESS RELEASE:

CHANGE AMOTEKUN’S NAME TO ‘ODUDUWA GUARDS’ - MURIC

An Islamic human rights organization has urged the governors of the South West to change the name of the Amotekun security outfit to ‘Oduduwa Guards’. The governors recently launched the Amotekun security network and gave it legal backing by signing bills on the initiative into laws.

The suggestion to change the name was made in a press statement issued on Friday 20^th March, 2020 by the director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The group said, “People who oppose an idea must suggest the alternative. We are not comfortable with the nomenclature. But the only reason advanced for that was that the name was rooted in a biblical verse. But there are other reasons and there is an alternative name. Amotekun is an animal but those who will protect citizens in the region are complete human beings. So why not give the outfit a human face by giving it the name of a human being, especially the name of the ancestor of all Yoruba people?

“We therefore call for a change of nomenclature. Amotekun as the name of the security outfit does not really reflect Yoruba heritage. A name like ‘Oduduwa Guards’ sounds perfect for the project. Oduduwa is the indisputable progenitor of the Yorubas and this is acknowledged by all historians. The Yorubas are not sons and daughters of an ‘amotekun’ (a leopard) which is an animal. Unless the alleged hidden agenda against Muslims is real, the organisers should adopt ‘Oduduwa Guards’ as the alternate name for Amotekun.

For instance, at the inception of the Amotekun operation, when an amotekun operative in uniform approaches a citizen or speaks to him, is it an animal that is standing before him or a compos mentis homo sapien? Is it an animal that is speaking or a full-fledged son of Oduduwa? The Yoruba must not commit an eternal error of giving other groups the chance to ridicule them.

“Changing ‘Amotekun’ to ‘Oduduwa Guards’ is more honourable, more dignifying and more glamourous. The adoption of ‘Oduduwa Guards’ as the new name of the South West security outfit will further immortalise their great ancestor. The children of Oduduwa are not animals.  

“In conclusion, the name of the South West security outfit should be changed to ‘Oduduwa Guards’ to give the security outfit a human face and as a mark of honour for Oduduwa, the great ancestor of the Yoruba.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,    

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)