STOP BEROM CHRISTIAN TERRORISTS NOW

2^nd October, 2018

PRESS RELEASE:

STOP BEROM CHRISTIAN TERRORISM NOW 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has raised alarm over circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Major General Idris Alkali since 3^rd September, 2018. The army general who retired a few weeks ago was the Chief of Administration in the Nigerian Army up till the time of his retirement. Security agents traced signals from his cell phone to a notorious pond in the Dura-Du District, a Berom community in Jos, Plateau State.

The search for the general which began on 22^nd September, 2018 involved the army, the Nigerian fire services and local divers. The general’s car with plate number MUN-670-AA Kwara State was found at the bottom of the pond after spending more than one week draining it. The searchers also found his blood-stained army T-shirt with his name tag on it. But the body was nowhere to be found.

In a press statement signed by the director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the human rights organization affirmed that there was more to the disappearance of the retired army general than meets the eye. According to the group, there is every reason to believe that the general was targetted by Berom Christian terrorists because he was a Muslim passing through Berom territory.

“The Nigerian Army has reported that General Alkali (rtd) disappeared around that Dura-Du axis. Thefact that more than 500 Berom Christian women protested against the search at the pond in order to stop the army from draining it is a strong pointer to the complicity of the whole community. Terrorists and killers hiding behind community women is a most dangerous development.

“It is not a new phenomenon.The fact that four other cars were found at the bottom of the evil pond shows that the spot had been a killing ground for some time. Islamic organizations, particularly the Jamaat Nasril Islam (JNI) have compalained severally in the past about the atrocities being committed by the Berom Christian terrorists but the security agencies paid no attention. Muslims are no longer safe in Berom community.

“Berom Christian terrorists once surrounded hundreds of Muslims who gathered for Id prayer. These were their Muslim neighbours who came out without carrying arms because there was no declaration of hostility at the time. The Berom killers surrounded them, shot and killed them all. The shocking thing was that they roasted the dead bodies and ate them up! The video of this horrendous crime was circulated some years back.

“The Berom Christian terrorists are also in the habit of blocking major highways. They stop vehicles and profile the drivers and passengers. Those who look like Muslims or Fulanis are dragged out and slaughtered on the spot. Their dead bodies are usually dumped in the notorious pond. Sabon Hanya especially between Mangu and Jos has been notorious for the mysterious disappearance of Muslims and Fulanis for a long time. The perpetrators of this heinous crime refer to Muslims and Fulanis as ‘bush meat’.

“MURIC appeals to the Chief of Army Staff, General Buratai, to leave no stone unturned in finding General Alkali (rtd) dead or alive. Nigerian Muslims want to know what happened to him. A whole retired general cannot disappear into thin air just like that. It is a daring assault on the Nigerian Army. This is infra dignitatem. How can ordinary civilians treat a whole general of the Nigerian Army like this?  

“We want the culprits identified, apprehended and duely punished according to the laws of the land. The army must also find their sponsors no matter how highly placed they may be. We are also interested in knowing the identities of the owners of the four cars found along with the general’s car. Of course our strong suspicion is that they were all Muslims driving through Berom territory before they were profiled, murdered and dumped in the pond. Perhaps their bodies and that of the general were buried elsewhere to ensure that they are never found.

“The wind has blown. We have seen the ruff of the hen. Those who blame Muslims for killings can now see that the noise makers are the real killers. This one is organized killing by Christian terrorists. We strongly suspect that the killings are carried out with the connivance of certain elements in official circles within the state.     

“As a parting shot, we charge the Inspector General of Police to release police dogs for a special search of the community. It will definitely require a combined team of the army, navy and the police with sniffer dogs for the operation to be successful. We have no iota of doubt that Berom land is full of shallow graves where hundreds of Muslim bodies have been dumped. The search should now shift from looking for the retired general alone. It must be comprehensive. Berom community lies on dead bodies of Muslims and their blood cries out for justice.

“MURIC calls for massive deployment of troops to all highways in and around Jos. All unauthorized road-blocks where Berom terrorists profile and kill Muslims must be dismantled. We are constrained to issue a travel alert for Muslims travelling through Berom territory until the situation is brought under control. We advise Muslims to use alternative routes for their own safety.    

In the meantime we appeal to Muslims all over Nigeria to remain calm and law abiding. The military is on top of the situation.  

  

Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE: 2019 ELECTION: WAGE TOTAL WAR ON CORRUPTION

1^st October, 2018

INDEPENDENCE DAY MESSAGE:

2019 ELECTION: WAGE TOTAL WAR ON CORRUPTION  

Nigeria is marking its 58^th independence anniversary today, Monday 1^st October, 2018. As usual, the Federal Government (FG) has declared the day a public holiday.      

In its Independence Day Message, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari for his many achievements in spite of daunting challenges. In particular, the Islamic human rights organization hailed the president for displaying incomparable maturity and unequalled statesmanship in steering the ship of the nation.

The message which was signed by the group’s director and founder, Professor Ishaq Akintola, identified the successful prosecution of the war against corruption, the prudent management of the country’s scarce resources, the technical defeat of Boko Haram insurgents, the unprecedented overcoming of recession within one year, the tactical downsizing of the Biafra agitation, the diversification of the economy, the aggressive provision of infrastructural facilities across the nation like the second Niger Bridge, road and rail networks, etc as areas of visible achievements of the president.

MURIC also cited the indiscriminate release of funds to all states even when some governors remained irrationally hostile and erratic as indisputable manifestation of magnanimity by the president. In particular, the executive order directing the Nigerian Police to suspend criminal charges against the opposition’s gubernatorial candidate, Ademola Adeleke, was another indubitable manifestation of statesmanship.

The Islamic human rights organization reminded Nigerian politicians that corruption is the bane of the country’s progress. It lamented that corruption made Nigerian roads the best death traps in Africa, turned the hospitals into public mortuaries, removed the glamour in education and nearly strangulated the economy.      

“As we prepare for the 2019 elections, therefore, all the political parties must steer clear of corrupt politicians. The battle cry should be ‘total war on corruption’. The Nigerian electorate must distance themselves from stomach infrastructure politicians who will feed them for only one day to make them hungry for four whole years.   

“The onus is on civil society and the Nigerian press to educate voters. Nigerians should be taught how to become fishermen catching fish by themselves instead of hungry villagers waiting for crumbs from the tables of politicians. We must make our 58 years of independence more meaningful by setting ourselves free from political charlatans.

“Politicians who hold the whole nation to ransom for their selfish interests; those who arrogate to themselves all the milk and honey in the land while the jamaheer continue to suffer; those who pay themselves N29 million per month for sleeping during National Assembly (NASS) sessions while the proletariat cannot get a dignifying minimum wage; those who delay the country’s budget for seven months and those who deduct huge sums from the allocations of critical areas of infrastructure to add to their phony constituency projects are not fit to represent the Nigerian people, talk less of leading them.

“In summary, the focus in the 2019 election should be the emergence of a new, reformed NASS. It must be a NASS that is totally committed to the war against corruption. At both state and national levels, Nigerians should choose tested, trusted and credible leaders. We charge the youth to emancipate themselves from the shackles of laziness, indolence and corruption. There is nothing to emulate in emergency politicians and opportunists whose only credentials are F9 parallel, the flair for criminal propensity, a nuisance value and a godfather of armed robbers.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

MURIC CONDEMNS FRSC FOR EXCLUDING MUSLIM WOMEN

26^th September, 2018

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC CONDEMNS FRSC FOR EXCLUDING MUSLIM WOMEN

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) recently conducted nationwide recruitment exercise for which applicants were requested to appear in white shorts, white round neck T-shirts, canvass and socks.

Reacting to the development, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) described it as a deliberate exercise in religious marginalization, economic deprivation and undisguised discrimination against Muslim women.

MURIC’s reaction was contained in a press statement signed by its director and founder, Professor Ishaq Akintola on Thursday, 26^th September, 2018.

The Islamic human rights organization wondered why FRSC would issue a directive which is designed to exclude a section of Nigerian citizens. Akintola said, “The whole world knows that Muslim women do not wear shorts. It is therefore strange to hear the FRSC requesting applicants of both sexes to appear in shorts. FRSC is a federal road safety concern and its recruitment exercise should be inclusive.

“Or is FRSC telling us that it only recognizes Christian women alone? Is FRSC telling us that it cannot tolerate the sight of Muslim women? Is this federal agency only interested in giving jobs to Christian women to the disadvantage of their Muslim counterparts? Is FRSC unaware of the economic implication of this among the Nigerian Muslim population? Is this not a deliberate attempt to empower Christians and continuously impoverish Muslims?

“We believe it is a deliberate attempt to exclude Muslims. We are disappointed that FRSC has joined the clique of anti-Muslim institutions that claim secularism in order to shortchange Muslims. Muslims are being shut out of the economy of this country. Muslims are being dragged to the bottom of the pyramid of poverty in Nigeria. Instructions which make it impossible for Muslims to participate in nation-building are being rolled out on a daily basis in public and private sectors.

“We remind FRSC that the marginalization of any section of the Nigerian population by any agency is a violation of Section 14(4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which stipulates that “The composition of the Government of the Federation, a State, a local government council, or any of the agencies of such Government or council, and the conduct of the affairs of the Government or council or such agencies shall be carried out in such manner as to recognise the diversity of the people within its area of authority and the need to promote a sense of belonging and loyalty among all the people of the Federation”

          

“MURIC therefore rejects the FRSC recruitment exercise for failing to recognize the diversity of our population. It is illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional to issue directives which are designed to exclude any section of the country. The exercise can best be described as incomplete, sectional and discriminatory.

“To complete the exercise, FRSC authorities must give Muslim women their own opportunity to participate. A new date must be fixed for the recruitment of Muslim women in the next few weeks. Nigeria belongs to us all. MURIC will not fold its hands while our common patrimony is shared out among Christians alone.

“We advise FRSC and all uniformed formations to take note of this observation in order to correct the anomaly in future exercises. Marginalisation is the oil which lubricates the engines of bitterness, animosity and rancour in any heterougeneous community like Nigeria. Part of the problems facing Nigeria today is the failure of public institutions and agencies to accept and fully integrate Muslims into the system. Most institutions assume that the anti-Muslim system bequeathed by the colonial master is the ideal thing. They never bother to look around to know if it is all-inclusive”.

MURIC also has a message for Muslim women. “We charge Muslim women all over the country to rise to the occasion. Demand your Allah-given fundamental human rights and that includes the right to employment, right to decent living and right to the dignity of your human person. Nobody under the sun has the right to ask you to expose your body. The Glorious Qur’an affirms that Allah Himself created mankind with dignity. (Qur’an 17:70). Why then should you allow anyone to deprive you of your Allah-endowed dignity?

“We urge the Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) to sensitise and mobilize Muslim women across the country for the coming struggle which is aimed at emancipating Nigerian Muslim women from the clutches of neo-imperialists. Freedom is never offered on a platter of gold. It is no longer fashionable to be docile.

“The Qur’an asserts, ‘Why should you not rise in the cause of Allah to defend men, women and children who are oppressed due to their weakness? The weak ones cry out, “Our Lord! rescue us from this city (Nigeria?) whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from Thee one who will protect us, and send to us a helper!” (Qur’an  4:75-76). 

“If you dare to struggle, you will dare to win. Muslim women in Nigeria must keep their eyes open. They must adopt ‘discrimination against one is discrimination against all’ as a motto. The Nigerian Muslim woman has become an endangered specie and this is the only way she can be defended because the authorities never show any concern for their freedom. Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.

“On a last note, MURIC demands a special recruitment exercise designed for Muslim women to be conducted by FRSC in the next few weeks. We advise the federal agency to consult FOMWAN on the modalities.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

POSERS FOR ADELEKE OF OSUN STATE

25^th September, 2018

PRESS RELEASE:

POSERS FOR ADELEKE OF OSUN STATE

The gubernatorial election which was held in Osun State on Saturday 22^nd September, 2018 was declared inconclusive and a new date, Thursday 27^th September, 2018 has been fixed for a re-run.      

According to the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) in a press statement issued on Tuesday, 25^th September, 2018 and signed by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, its office has been inundated with complaints from its members in Osun state who fear a raw deal in the event of Senator Adeleke emerging winner after the re-run.

“Our members are apprehensive. There is this information that Senator Adeleke pledged to return mission schools to their owners if he becomes governor of Osun. We don’t peddle rumour. We are therefore using this medium to ascertain the veracity of the report. The distinguished senator has ample time to issue a disclaimer now.

“The question is very simple, did you promise to return mission schools to their owners? The implications are very serious when considered against the background of the running battle over the mission schools between the Christians and Muslims in the state in the past eight years.

“To assure Nigerians that this is not just a conjecture of MURIC or our concern alone, the Muslim Community of Osun State had earlier raised the alarm on this matter. In a widely publicized press conference of 8^th September, 2018, the president, Osun State Muslim Community, Alhaji Mustapha Olawuyi, said inter alia:

‘One of them has been using ‘return of schools to missionaries as one of his campaign promises. We are aware that this is a gimmick to swindle the public. You can’t return the property that belongs to all of us to a mission just because such schools bear mission names. We are all aware of massive investments of public fund in these schools after it had been taken over soon after independence with full compensation. We have told him to forget it. Even if he has a pact with any group, it won’t fly. Any politician that tries it will regret it.’

“As far as MURIC is concerned, we see a big threat to religious freedom for Muslims if a candidate has entered into a pact with Christians leaders to return schools to the missions. If Adeleke has a pact with Christian leaders, what agreement does he have with the Muslims? He may be taking Osun Muslims for a ride. He has to explain.

“He was only known as Senator Ademola Adeleke prior to his emergence as candidate but suddenly he became ‘Nurudeen’. Our strong suspicion is that this ‘Nurudeen’ converted to Christianity a long time ago but he now finds it mandatory to portray himself as a Muslim in order to deceive gullible Muslims. He appeared on Id ground during Salah. But that should not surprise anyone because even Fayose attended Salah prayer wearing a turban. But why must politicians deceive Muslims this way? We charge Senator Adeleke to elucidate on this.

“A second poser to which the distinguished senator must respond before the re-run on Thursday is the repression of Muslim students in Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State. MURIC has petitions from Muslim students in the institution. They complain of religious discrimination, forceful attendance of church services and refusal to allow them to worship as Muslims.

“Our question to Senator Adeleke on this is also very simple. Distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria sir, what is your connection with Adeleke University? We are aware that Dr. Deji Adeleke who happens to be the senator’s brother, is the Pro-Chancellor of the institution.

“Given the passion with which members of the Adeleke family have thrown their weight behind the senator’s political ambition, can the distinguished senator separate his policies on education as a prospective governor of Osun State from that of the university? Are Muslims in the state not going to come under the sledge hammer just as Muslim students are facing persecution in Adeleke University?”

MURIC also raised issues on the hijab affair. “The road to freedom to use hijab in public schools was rough and hard. We doubt if Muslims in the state will be ready to tolerate a reverse in case an anti-Muslim governor emerges winner. The president of Osun State Muslim Community expatiated on this:  

‘Again, this is a back door approach to banish hijab from public schools. We have seen hate and lack of religious tolerance displayed in the Adeleke University Ede and the Bowen University in Iwo. And as the majority group in Osun, we will not fold our hands and allow that happen in our schools. It will be resisted with full force. We just fought for hijab for three years, so anyone who intends to mitigate our rights or oppress us should forget his ambition to become a governor in this state. In Osun State, we are aware of our rights and we have enlightened populace.’

If it is true that a pledge was made to return schools to the missionaries, then religion has been introduced into the politics of Osun state. Therefore, nobody should tell MURIC not to intervene in the politics of Osun state. This is not about supporting any political party. Our members are spread across all the political parties but our interest lies in the protection of the Allah-given fundamental rights of Muslims.

To round off, we implore the distinguished senator to expatiate upon the issues raised above and allow the Osun electorate to decide the rest.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)