Tuesday, July 29, 2025

PLATEAU’S DEMAND FOR WITHDRAWAL OF SOLDIERS DIABOLICAL – MURIC

 



29th July, 2025

PRESS RELEASE:
PLATEAU’S DEMAND FOR WITHDRAWAL OF SOLDIERS DIABOLICAL – MURIC

Plateau State government last week demanded the withdrawal of soldiers from hotspots in the state and that they should be replaced with mobile policemen. However, a human rights advocacy group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has countered the demand. MURIC said Plateau State government has a sinister motive for demanding the soldiers’ withdrawal.

The group made this known in a statement issued on Tuesday, 29th July, 2025. The statement was signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

It reads:

“The Special Envoy on peace and security to Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State last week demanded the withdrawal of soldiers from crisis areas and their replacement with mobile policemen (https://dailytrust.com/muslim-community-kicks-over-plateaus-insistence-on-withdrawal-of-soldiers/).

“We of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) smell a rat in this demand. There is more to it than meets the eye. Why should a state enveloped in viral killings demand the removal of soldiers from crisis areas? It does not add up. Plateau has a sinister motive.

“The trajectory of skirmishes in Plateau State in particular and the North Central in general makes an interesting study. It is characterized by official coverup of massacres, cannibalism, arson and looting. Plateau has mastered the art of deception, manipulation and intrigues.

“Women in Plateau communities are hands in gloves with killer youths and they hide murderous hearts behind enticing feminine smiles. They readily go out naked in protest against the presence of soldiers even when they are fully aware that their people have killed innocent Nigerians.

“We are fully convinced that Plateau’s demand for the withdrawal of soldiers from hotspots is diabolical. Besides, what informed their preference for mobile policemen to replace soldiers is their successful long term plan for predominance in the recruitment of mobile police in the country.

“They know that indigenes of Plateau, Benue and other parts of North Central dominate the population of mobile policemen. This is what they want to leverage on. They should be denied that luxury.

“The zone is not sincere about the search for peace. Every committee set up by the authorities to find solutions to the outbreaks of silence has been lopsided. We need balanced committees for enduring peace. We need the military in Plateau for fair and transparent security operations. The government of Plateau State cannot be trusted for general protection of all citizens in the state.”

#DontWithdrawSoldiers

#PlateauNeedsSoldiers

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

 



Sunday, July 27, 2025

MURIC OYO CHAPTER CONDEMNS MASQUERADE ATTACK ON MUSLIMS

 

 

28th July, 2025

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC OYO CHAPTER CONDEMNS MASQUERADE ATTACK ON MUSLIMS  

It has come to the attention of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Oyo State Chapter, that a masquerader named Lobanika, during his public outing on Friday, 25th July, 2025, assaulted an Imam walking on the street by using a stick to snatch the cap on the Imam's head. Not only that, the masquerade also stormed Oá¹£aro market on the same day and attacked another Muslim with a cutlass.

 

MURIC strongly condemns this barbaric act, as our motto stands firmly on the principle of “Dialogue, Not Violence.” This act is absurd, criminal, demeaning, nonsensical and completely unacceptable. 

 

In a multicultural and religiously diverse state like ours, peaceful coexistence must be preserved. Therefore, we urgently call on all stakeholders of the Egungun Festival to take immediate and firm action by cautioning and controlling all those involved in masquerade outings.

 

However, in view of the alleged reprisal attacks by Muslims in Ogbomosho, we call for caution. Two wrongs do not make a right. We appeal to Muslims to exercise patience. 

 

MURIC  urges the security operatives in the area to warn all masquerades against assaulting Muslims or attacking mosques. These are the kind of actions that can escalate the crisis. 

 

Meanwhile we particularly call the attention of the authorities and the public to the Ololu Masquerade Festival, which is scheduled to begin on Monday, 28th July 2025 in Ibadan. Based on multiple reports from concerned bodies, there is growing anxiety that this upcoming festivity might lead to further unrest.

 

We hereby urge the Oyo State Government and relevant security agencies to act promptly and decisively to prevent any form of assault or intimidation by masqueraders. The safety and rights of all citizens regardless of their religion must be guaranteed.

 

To our fellow Muslims across the state, we appeal for calm and restraint, as we await the necessary intervention and response from the authorities.

 

Amb. Malam Ibrahim Agunbiade,

Secretary,

Muslim Rights Concern 

(MURIC), 

Oyo State Chapter

 

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

POLICE PROTEST: ACCEDE TO DEMANDS NOW – MURIC

 


22nd July, 2025

PRESS RELEASE:
POLICE PROTEST: ACCEDE TO DEMANDS NOW – MURIC

A faith-based Allah-given human rights advocacy group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has told both the Federal Government (FG) and the National Assembly (NASS) to expedite positive action on the demands of retired policemen who went on peaceful protest yesterday.

 

MURIC spoke via a statement issued on Tuesday, 22nd July, 2025 by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola. 

The statement reads:

"Retired Nigerian policemen went on peaceful protest in Abuja yesterday, Monday 21st July, 2025 over poor pensions and gratuities. Apart from Abuja, the protest took place simultaneously in Kwara, Edo, Plateau, Taraba, Cross Rivers, Plateau, etc (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/07/retired-policemen-protest-poor-pension-welfare-nationwide/). 

"The police pensioners made shocking revelations of despicable packages like N1.8 million and N3.5 million gratuities as well as monthly pensions as low as N45,000 only being received by men who have served the nation for upwards of 35 years. It is, indeed, a national disgrace. 

"We of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) are deeply concerned about the horrible, disgraceful and inhuman condition to which retired policemen have been subjected. It is unthinkable to impoverish those who protected the citizens with their own lives to the extent that they are now ostensibly destined to live like paupers for the rest of their lives. 

"Like the sword of Damocles, the questions of corruption, insecurity, equal rights and justice will continue to dangle over the Nigerian horizon without solution until our leaders find the courage to make the welfare of both serving and retired security agents their first priority. 

"It is a misplacement of priorities to give jumble packages to lawmakers and former governors while policemen's take-home pay cannot take them home. 

"The Muslim Rights Concern is concerned because the sufferings and frustrations of the police have been cascading down to the man in the street. We, the jamaahiir, the masses of Nigeria, the hoi polloi, are the ones who bear the brunt. 

"We are made to open our car boots a hundred times over, to dip our hands in our pockets at the roar of 'wetin you carry?', to pay for pen and paper when we lodge a report at the police station and to spend our hard earned money before bail is granted even though we are told bail is free. Police suffering ricochets on ordinary civilians.  

"We therefore call on the Federal Government (FG) and the National Assembly (NASS) to expedite positive and comprehensive action while meeting the demands of the retired policemen. 

"FG must remember that it will be unwise to forget serving policemen and other security agents (soldiers, the secret police and the paramilitary) while meeting the demands of retired policemen. There is an urgent need to uplift all of them now.

“As we take a break, we salute the heroic role played by Omowole Sowore and other activists who led the protest. Their action should not be misconstrued. It is neither an act of hostility towards the police nor that of intrusion. They came out because police suffering affects them just as it affects all civilians. They are the face of the masses. They were at the scenes to boost the morale of the protesting policemen.

“In the same vein, the Inspector General of Police deserves a medal for granting audience to the protesters, listening to them and remaining calm throughout the conversation.”

#PoliceProtest

#FederalGovernment

#NationalAssembly

#PrioritiseWelfareOfAllSecurityAgents

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

Monday, July 21, 2025

MURIC TO ERDOGAN: STOP CRYING WOLF, NO TURKISH TERRORISTS IN NIGERIA

 


21st July, 2025

PRESS RELEASE:
MURIC TO ERDOGAN: STOP CRYING WOLF, NO TURKISH TERRORISTS IN NIGERIA

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has told President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkiye to leave Turkish groups in Nigeria alone and to stop crying wolf where there is none. 

MURIC was reacting to a warning issued by the government of Turkiye asking the Nigerian government to be wary of Gulenist terrorists in the country. The Islamic human rights group insisted that the Turkish groups in Nigeria are educationists and charity groups who are joining hands with Nigerians for the country's growth and development. 

This was contained in a statement issued on Monday, 21st July, 2025 by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola. 

The statement reads: 

"The government of Turkiye has warned the Nigerian government to be wary of Gulenist terrorists in the country. (https://muslimnews.com.ng/2025/07/17/turkiye-warns-of-gulenist-terrorist-threat-in-nigeria-other-countries/). 

"We take this warning with a pinch of salt. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is crying wolf where there is none. He is afraid of his own shadow.

"Nigeria is not a satellite of Turkiye. Therefore, he cannot manipulate Nigeria to satisfy narrow diabolical objective. The whole world knows that he has virtually forced all opposition elements out of his country with his repressive and tyrannical tendencies. 

"It is gratifying to note that even the Nigerian government has rejected his sinister advances and wrongful insinuations (https://punchng.com/fg-dismisses-turkish-claim-of-new-terror-group-in-nigeria/). 

"As a democratic nation, we will not be complicit in the suppression of the opposition in other countries. We advise the Turkish leader to leave the followers of the late Shaykh Gulen in Nigeria alone and to stop crying wolf where there is none. Erdogan should take his cock and bull stories to the marines. Nigeria cannot be fooled."

#Erdogan

#ShaykhGulenFollowers

#StopCryingWolf

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

MURIC CONGRATULATES NEWLY APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF INSTITUTE FOR PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION (IPCR), SUNUSI MUSA, SAN.



 20th July, 2025

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC CONGRATULATES NEWLY APPOINTED CHAIRMAN OF INSTITUTE FOR PEACE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION (IPCR), SUNUSI MUSA, SAN.

 

Charges him to remain focused and goal-oriented by advancing lasting peace, conflict resolution, good governance, not only in Nigeria, but in the whole of Africa, especially West Africa and particularly our neighbouring Sahel region. 

 

The Chairman of Kano State Chapter of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has extended a congratulatory message to Sunusi Musa, SAN, on his recent appointment as the Chairman of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR). 

 

In a statement released on Saturday, 20th July, 2025, the chairman of Kano State Chapter of MURIC, Malam Hassan Sani Indabawa said:

 

"The news of Sunusi's appointment to the coveted position of Chairman of one of Nigeria's formost think-tank, did not come to us as a surprise. It is a well deserved appointment, putting a square peg in a square hole. 

 

"As one of Kano's emerging young leaders and as a widely recognised intellectual, senior advocate and an astute politician, Sunusi is well-known for his resourcefulness, diligence, brilliance, eloquence and professionalism — all borne out of passion for excellence.

 

"When he attained the highest status of the law profession in 2022, he was adjudged to be the youngest to be admitted into the inner bar in a keenly contested race, to emerge among the 62 elevated legal practitioners which was announced on 29th September, 2022.

 

"Sunusi's passion for industry and excellence would continue to propel him to higher status in life.

 

"It is therefore gratifying to convey our heartfelt congratulations to one of our own, Sunusi Musa, SAN, for a well deserved appointment; albeit a challenging task but of which we believe he will wonderfully perform with success. 

 

"This, no doubt, is a well deserved recognition of resourcefulness, professionalism, hard work and passion for excellence.

 

"As we celebrate with the new IPCR Chairman, we charge him to maintain the tempo of dedication and hard work and also to remain focused and goal-oriented by reinvegorating the agency towards advancing peace, conflict resolution, good governance for lasting peace, not only in Nigeria, but in the whole of Africa, especially West Africa and particularly our neighbouring Sahel region.*

 

"May Allah continue to bless and guide him as he strive to discharge his professional engagements as IPCR Chairman. 

 

"May Allah bless MURIC, its members and our able director, Professor Ishaq Akintola as we continue to excell and soar higher."

 

Hassan Sani Indabawa, 

Chairman,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC),

Kano Chapter.

 

Friday, July 18, 2025

MURIC BACKS EFCC ON UNEXPLAINED WEALTH BILL

 


19th July, 2025

PRESS RELEASE:
MURIC BACKS EFCC ON UNEXPLAINED WEALTH BILL

 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the National Assembly (NASS) to pass the unexplained wealth bill without further delay. This was sequel to the call made by the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the NASS on the same subject. 

The Islamic human rights organization argued that the unexplained wealth bill is capable of exposing corruption in public and private places, thereby eradicating profligacy or reducing it to its barest minimum if the bill becomes law. 

This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday, 19th July, 2025 by the group's Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola. 

He said further:

"The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, recently called on the National Assembly (NASS) to pass the unexplained wealth bill into law (https://crimechannels.com/pass-unexplained-wealth-bill-efcc-chairman-tells-national-assembly/)

"This is not only a call in the right direction but also a call to action. So many kleptomaniacs, yahoo yahoo boys, kidnappers, armed robbers, etc escape detection due to the absence of this particular law. 

"The bill will make probity and accountability mandatory with little effort on the part of the law enforcement agencies. The existing corruption laws are so weak that it is unable to compel accountability. 

"We therefore call on the NASS to rescue the nation from the abyss of moral debauchery by hearkening to the call of the EFCC chairman to pass the unexplained wealth bill into law."

#NationalAssembly

#EFCC

#PassUnexplainedWealthBill

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

 

Wednesday, July 16, 2025

WHY BUHARI IS THE FATHER OF MODERN NIGERIA – MURIC

 


16th July, 2025

                                                   PRESS RELEASE:

WHY BUHARI IS THE FATHER OF MODERN NIGERIA

A faith-based human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has reiterated its description of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari as the Father of Modern Nigeria. The group also gave reasons for giving him the appellation.

The reasons were contained in a statement issued on Wednesday, 16th July, 2025 by the group’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The statement reads:

“Hundreds of tributes have been pouring in for the late former President Muhammadu Buhari whose death was announced on Sunday, 13th July, 2025. He died in a London clinic at the age of 82. But none of those tributes has captured vintage Buhari as we know him.

“We have called Buhari ‘Father of Modern Nigeria’ at least on two occasions. We first gave the late president the name ‘Father of Modern Nigeria’ in our statement of 14th March, 2022.

“Showcasing the Lagos-Ibadan train which was newly launched at the time, we took about twenty of our members on a picnic from Lagos to Ibadan. We rode on the train for the first time as first hand witnesses.

“Impressed by what we saw and experienced, we declared that Buhari was the Father of Modern Nigeria (https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/03/how-buhari-has-re-engineered-modern-nigeria-muric/).

“We reiterated this stand one year later in May 2023 when Buhari handed over government (https://leadership.ng/muric-hails-buharis-achievements-calls-him-father-of-modern-nigeria/; https://gazettengr.com/buhari-father-of-modern-nigeria-survived-death-conspiracy-muric/?tztc=1). We are consistent even though his achievements are too numerous to mention in a single press statement.

“The most outstanding cassu belli for calling Buhari ‘Father of Modern Nigeria’ are his compelling infrastructural achievements, particularly his breakthrough in rail transportation. Lagos-Ibadan expressway used to witness long traffic gridlock extending over twenty or more kilometers.

“Vehicles moved at snail speed on Lagos-Ibadan expressway and a journey which should last just one hour, ceteris paribus, used to take eight to ten hours. It was a route of waste, frustration, horror and sorrow. But all these disappeared the moment Buhari’s train made its debut. That is one major reason for calling Buhari the ‘Father of Modern Nigeria’.

“Buhari’s train did not stop at Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kaduna and Itakpe-Warri standard gauge rail lines will remain Buhari’s bold signatures for a long time. The latter had been abandoned since 1987.

“It is important to note that if former President Muhammadu Buhari had been corrupt, the $2.1 billion spent on the Lagos-Ibadan railroad would have gone down the drain. The painful frustrating journeys to those destinations would have continued till date. Ditto for other railroads constructed by him.

“But there are other reasons. Buhari’s other achievements stood him out. He turned the security architecture round 360 degrees. Like we said in one of our earlier statements, one of Mr Buhari’s successes in the area of security is the absence of suicide bombers and the closure of many Internally Displaced People (IDP) camps. 

“Seventeen out of Nigeria’s 774 Local Government Areas were under the full control of Boko Haram when Buhari took over in 2015. It was so bad that the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) said Boko Haram was controlling the size of Belgium. But Buhari pushed them back and recovered all territories.

“Nigerian troops who used to flee to Niger or Chad during fierce clashes with insurgents due to lack of better weapons became emboldened under the Daura-born president. Nigerian media reported this ugly spectacle in November 2014 during the reign of ex-President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/170914-nigerian-soldiers-flee-as-boko-haram-captures-more-territory-in-adamawa.html?tztc=1).

“This was made possible because instead of diverting funds meant for weapons and military hardware, Buhari made Nigeria’s money count. He strengthened the military by purchasing the most sophisticated weaponry from everywhere in the world, including American Tucano fighting jets and attack helicopters.

“Who else can qualify for the appellation ‘Father of Modern Nigeria’ but a three star general who was former military governor, former head of state, former Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) and president of Nigeria for eight good years but in spite of these high level opportunities to enrich himself, he died three days ago leaving behind just two houses which he had before becoming president: one in Kaduna, and the other in Daura, his hometown. He has not built an additional house even after eight years in office.

“Though he has not hurt Nigerians in any deliberate manner, he asked for forgiveness from us. Courtesy demands that we must pray for him in death. In particular, as a faith-based organization, MURIC will be failing in its duty if we do not pray for this great man who has done so much for his country but who has often been misunderstood.

“May Almighty Allah forgive him. May He shower His Divine Mercy on him. May He also grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus. Aamiin.

“A colossus and an indisputable national icon, Buhari pursued politics of discipline, honesty and selflessness. For him, it was Nigeria first. He was a leader par excellence, a patriot nulli secundus. He stands tall among other Nigerian leaders, living or dead.

“Greatest Nigerian People, Ladies and Gentlemen of conscience and truth, we present to you posthumously, Mr. Integrity, Mr. Pedigree, Mr. Nigeria First, the greatest patriot Nigeria ever had, Ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, the Father of Modern Nigeria.”

#Buhari

#FatherOfModernNigeria

 

Professor Ishaq Akintola, 

Founder/Executive Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)