MAOLUD MESSAGE: MURIC URGES NIGERIANS TO EMBRACE FG’S PROGRAMMES

11^th November, 2019

          

MAOLUD MESSAGE:

MURIC URGES NIGERIANS TO EMBRACE FG’S PROGRAMMES

As Nigerian Muslims join more than 2.6 billion Muslims around the globe in celebrating the birthday of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has urged Nigerians from all walks of life to embrace programmes initiated by the Federal Government (FG) instead of searching endlessly for white collar jobs thereby remaining jobless and idle.

This was contained in a Maolud Nabiyy message circulated by the human rights organization on Monday, 11^th November, 2019. MURIC felicitated with the head of the Nigerian Muslim community, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar on the occasion of 2019 Maolud Nabiyy.

In the message which was issued by the Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari for witnessing the occasion and for his visionary and exemplary leadership. The group also wished all Nigerians a Happy Maolud Nabiyy.

“We are indeed elated by the purpose driven leadership style of President Muhammadu Buhari. We single out various empowerment programmes initiated by his administration which offer economic opportunities for different classes of Nigerians. Equally laudable is the president’s successful investment drive with foreign countries like Russia, China, Morocco and Saudi Arabia.

“We condemn in very strong terms attempts being made by critics and the opposition to whittle down President Buhari’s achievements particularly cynic’s criticism of the president’s trips to foreign countries. These criticisms are manifestations of kindergarten political mentality. It is quite obvious that the Nigerian opposition groups need to enroll in the institute of forward-looking political ballgame.

“Instead of running round in circles looking for white collar jobs or embarking on suicidal trips across the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea, we urge Nigerians to embrace FG’s empowerment programmes. The advanced facilities which Nigerians crave in Europe and America were not produced by an indolent citizenry or a cynical labour force. They are products of dogged industry.

Sitting down idly and waiting for manna to fall from heaven via endless visitations to miracle centers and asalatu grounds will not bring the change we need. We must embrace the philosophy of ora et labora by combining work with prayers.  

“Prophet Muhammad whom we are celebrating today hated laziness with a passion. He toiled relentlessly as a youth and worked harder even after marriage. He condemned beggary and encouraged hardwork. This is why Nigerian Muslims in particular and other citizens have no business begging around or remaining idle when the opportunities offered by FG are there just for asking.

“Many Nigerians have been bitten by the lazy citizenry bug. The government initiated several empowerment projects and asked them to register free. Government is giving land free. Government will open the land free. Tractor work is free. They are giving seedlings to plant free and soft loan to every registered Nigerian. The icing on the cake is that there is no interest and no collateral for the loan. This is unprecedented in the history of this country. Yet enemies of progress ignore these golden opportunities. All they do is complain of poverty and hunger. It is our contention that those who refuse to take opportunities deserve whatever befalls them.

“As we round off, we urge Nigerians to emulate Prophet Muhammad’s philosophy of the dignity of labour. In view of FG’s aggressive economic empowerment for citizens and investment partnership with foreign countries, we invite Nigerians from all strata of society to avail themselves of the opportunities. This is the only way to turn the country to a nation of producers after being a consumer state for so long.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,    

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

IGBO MAN KIDNAPS, RAPES, IMPREGNATES HAUSA GIRL: MURIC KICKS

6^th November, 2019

          

PRESS RELEASE:

IGBO MAN KIDNAPS, RAPES, IMPREGNATES HAUSA GIRL: MURIC KICKS

An 18-year-old Hausa girl, Maryam Dauda, who had been missing for several months has been found in the home of an Igbo man, Alex Chukwugo. Maryam went missing in January 2019 and all efforts made by the parents to locate her failed. Although the parents heard news of the missing girl in June 2019 (six months later), they were not allowed to see their daughter until October 2019 when they were invited to Alex Chukwugo’s house to see her with a newly born baby.     

Meanwhile the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has kicked against the circumstances in which the girl was found. The group’s anger was expressed in a press statement issued by its Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Wednesday, 6^th November, 2019.

“This is frivolous, preposterous and unacceptable. Alex Chukwugo has abducted the Hausa girl. There is no other name for it. We insist that it is abduction. Alex as a fellow Nigerian knows the due process when it comes to marriage but he refused to follow that well-known process because of his criminal motive.

“He used deceptive means to get the girl into his house since January 2019. He has kept the girl in his custody against the girl’s will and definitely without the parent’s knowledge. During that period the parents were in severe emotional trauma. Alex Chukwugo has subjected Mr. and Mrs. Dauda to untold hardship, unlimited suffering and unprecedented psychological topsy-turvy.

“The parents went through this pain for six good months while their daughter was raped by Alex Chukwugo on a daily basis until she became pregnant. The suspect did not deem it fit to inform the parents of their daughter’s whereabout until after six months and when he eventually surfaced, he came with two other men only to inform the parents that they had found their daughter.

“Without revealing their true identity, they posed like security men performing their official duty. They exchanged telephone numbers with the parents and told them that they could not be allowed to see their daughter yet. It was only about three weeks ago (four months after the nocturnal visit to the girl’s parents) that they invited them to the house of the abductor of their daughter. The parents were shocked when they discovered that their daughter had just delivered a baby.     

“The parents left in anger and a concerned Hausa man who is educated came to MURIC’s office to lodge a report. We had no option than to go to the police and the suspect was arrested on Sunday, 3^rd November, 2019. As we go to press, both the suspect and his abducted victim are in Police headquarters, Ikeja.

“One thing is very clear in this case. Alex Chukwugo gave the parents this shabby treatment because they are simple peasants with no Western education. But we are assuring him that he miscalculated. MURIC will stand by every Muslim against his or her oppressor. We will uphold the rule of law no matter whose ox is gored. Gone are the days when Muslims are treated like dregs of their societies. We are prepared to use every legitimate means to ensure that Muslims get redress from their oppressors.

“The parents have complained that policemen in Ikeja, have disallowed them from speaking with their daughter. We frown at this development. The parents should be allowed to communicate with their daughter. No one expects the police to aggravate the parents suffering after their daughter has been found. We therefore call on the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to call his men to order. It is the height of insensitivity for the police to disallow the parents from speaking with their daughter after suffering for so long. What game is the police playing? Nigerians are waiting.

“MURIC is a ‘watchdog’ in this case and we are going to monitor events from now on. Alex Chukwugo must be arraigned in court. We will not rest until the parents of Maryam get justice.

“Something interesting seems to be going on in this country. Muslim children are being kidnapped on a daily basis since the past ten years particularly from the North. The destination has been the Southern part of Nigeria and now Alex Chukwugo has rubbed it in. Our daughters are now being lured into secret enclaves. They are kept in custody against their will. They are repeatedly raped until they submit to their abductors. Alex Chukwugo must be taught the lesson of his lifetime.

“On a last note, MURIC demands justice for Mr. and Mrs. Dauda. We call on the Lagos State Ministry of Justice to invoke the full powers of the law in this case. Alex Chukwudi and others like him must be made to face the full wrath of the law. Nigerians are watching. MURIC is on 24-7 vigil.    

Professor Ishaq Akintola,    

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

ARREST KILLER OJO AKINLABI: MURIC TASKS OYO POLICE

5^th November, 2019

PRESS RELEASE:

ARREST KILLER OJO AKINLABI: MURIC TASKS OYO POLICE

An Islamic human rights organization has called for the arrest of one Ojo Akinlabi for allegedly killing Pa Taiwo Biliaminu, a septuagenarian. The suspect allegedly attacked the deceased with an axe and dealt him several blows from the weapon on 23^rd October, 2019. The victim was rushed to the hospital but he gave up the ghost on 29^th October, 2019. The incident occurred at Fiditi, Afijio Local Government of Oyo State.

The call for arrest was made on Tuesday, 5^th November, 2019 in a press statement issued by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC). Professor Ishaq Akintola, who signed the statement, accused Ojo Akinlabi of thuggery, hooliganism, brigandage and premeditated murder.

He added, “Ojo Akinlabi is a Muslim hater and a social nuisance. He is a threat to his community. He attacks Muslims at will. The list of his Muslim victims include Miss Simiat of Abese family, whom he allegedly raped to death in 2008; Alhaji Hamza Adebiyi whom he attacked and whose house he vandalized in 2017 and Rafiu Olaojo whom he attacked with a cutlass in October 2019.

“Furthermore, the suspect attacked Taofeek Oyekola, the Imam of Agbongbon Omodeni Mosque, vandalized his house, hacked down wooden windows and pursued the residents. He also destroyed foodstuff in the shop outside the house (raw rice, beans, gari and oil). However, his attempt to burn down the house failed.

“Ojo Akinlabi has threatened to kill all Muslims in Fiditi. All his victims so far are Muslims. He also insists that he does not want to see any mosque in the town. Muslims in the area live in palpable fear and the mosque has been deserted. The suspect is a notorious cultist who initiates people by force at his shrine which is situated behind the Yehoyeho House.

“As a peace-loving, law-abiding and dialogue-inclined group, we are using this medium to appeal to the Oyo State Police Command to rise to the occasion. The police at Fiditi Police Station had forwarded the report of the murder of Pa Taiwo Biliaminu to Iyaganku Police Headquarters, Ibadan since 1^st November, 2019. It appears Fiditi police find it difficult to apprehend the suspect. The responsibility must fall squarely on the state police command.

“For the umpteenth time, MURIC is reporting another case of reckless killing, physical assault, vandalisation of property and harassment of Muslims by traditionalists in South West Nigeria. Yet we are the same Muslims who have been wrongly portrayed in certain quarters as terrorists, fundamentalists, extremists and violent people. There has been no single incident of Muslims hitting back at their traducers in the sub-region. It now appears we are being pushed to the wall.

“We are therefore constrained to request the immediate intervention of the Inspector General of Police (IG), particularly because attacks on Muslims and their properties has spread across all the states in the South West. Muslims have become endangered species. We need protection for ourselves, our mosques and our properties. It is our belief that this and other press statements will be used as evidence in future to show how patient Muslims have been in spite of repeated attacks on us. It will also be used against those who fail to take action.

“Yet contrary to Fidel Castro’s postulate that it is illegal to be law abiding in a lawless society and Nelson Mandela’s submission that when injustice becomes law, resistance becomes a duty, we remain faithful to MURIC’s avowed motto : ‘Dialogue, No Violence’ in the hope that the IG will change the narrative.

“We remind the Nigeria Police of the words of Albert Einstein that the world will not be destroyed by those who do evil but by those who watch them without doing anything. Martin Luther had argued that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

“In conclusion, we charge the Oyo State Commissioner of Police to send officers and men who are capable of restoring law and order by bringing Ojo Akinlabi to justice. In addition, we appeal to the IG to investigate the cause of police unwillingness to bring our attackers to book and thereafter, to take such measures that will ensure prompt and proportionate action against anyone who attacks people of other faiths or destroys their properties in future.” 

Professor Ishaq Akintola,    

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

MURIC APPEALS TO AREGBESOLA TO FREE 54 SOLDIERS

4^th November, 2019

          

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC APPEALS TO AREGBESOLA TO FREE 54 SOLDIERS

The Minister of Internal Affairs, Rauf Aregbesola, recently pledged to decongest Nigeria’s correctional facilities within six months (https://www.tori.ng/news/133383/aregbesola-promises-to-decongest-prisons-in-six-mo.html). The minister spoke at a public hearing organized by the National Assembly Joint Committee on Appropriation.

Although the minister laid emphasis on awaiting trial inmates, an Islamic human rights group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has appealed to him to extend the reprieve to those serving prison sentences, particularly the 54 soldiers. The civil society group spoke through its arrow-head, Professor Ishaq Akintola, in a statement circulated to the media on Monday, 4^th October, 2019.

The group agreed with the minister that Nigeria’s correctional centres are long overdue for decongestion.

“The honourable minister has good intentions and the idea is quite laudable, visionary and humane. Available data indicates that more than 70% of inmates of correctional centres are awaiting trials. This has caused severe congestion forcing inmates to sleep in turn. They queue for hours in front of toilets. This is dehumanising, degrading and inconsiderate.

“Exempli gratia, 1,574 out of 1,761 inmates in Anambra are awaiting trial. Out of the 600 inmates in Aba, only 113 of them are serving full sentences. The rest are awaiting trial and expectedly, 80 of them have gone mad. It is so pathetic, so alarming.   

“Then comes the question of space. Our correctional centres are not large enough, neither do they have necessary facilities to retain a human face. 585 inmates jostle for 400 spaces in Ekiti. The space designed for 1,354 inmates in Rivers is being used by 4,424 inmates. Owerri Correctional Centre contains 2,500 instead of 550. This is why Aregbesola’s move to decongest the prisons could not have come at a better time.”

“With the total number of prisoners in Nigeria standing at 73, 631 as at 18^th July, 2018 in a population of roughly 199 million one wonders why Nigeria cannot provide enough facilities in its correctional centres when its prison population rate is just 37 per 100,000. It is noteworthy that the world prison population rate, based on United Nations estimates of national population levels, is 145 per 100,000. The rate for Western African countries is 53 whereas for southern African countries it is 244 per 100,000 (See World Prison Population List https://www.prisonstudies.org/sites/default/files/resources/downloads/wppl_12.pdf).

MURIC appeals to the minister to extend the decongestion exercise to the 54 soldiers.

“But we are asking the minister to extend the kind gesture to other prisoners based on merit. Our main interest lies in the 54 soldiers. These were soldiers arrested in 2014 for daring to complain to their commander that their weapons were too poor to confront better equipped Boko Haram fighters.

“They had earlier lost 23 men and four officers due to poor equipment when they advanced on Damboa on 9^thJuly, 2014. This made them to demand better supplies when they were ordered to return to the battle front again without improved weaponry. They were sentenced to death in December 2014 but this was later commuted to ten years imprisonment.

“But Nigerians have since learnt that it was the 54 soldiers affair which exposed the massive corruption in the army with particular reference to armsgate. We therefore contend that the 54 soldiers should be seen as heroes and patriots instead of being treated as criminals who merely deserve to rot in jail.

“It is on these humane and compassionate grounds that we are pleading with the honourable Minister of Internal Affairs to kindly extend the decongestion exercise to the 54 soldiers. It is about our norms and values. Those who have toiled for our country should not be made to regret their sacrifices. It is demoralising.

“Apart from seeking greener pastures, our lopsided sense of justice is another raison d’etre for the migration of Nigerian youth to foreign lands. We castigate excellence and reward mediocrity. We worship indolence and demonise industry. We deride integrity but hail corruption. This kills gallantry in our soldiers and diminishes patriotic instincts in our young ones. Instead of giving them ordinary panadol, Nigeria beheads its citizens for complaining of headache.  

“Or how do we explain the sentencing of a 22 year old man to 30 months in prison for stealing a pair of slippers? Worse still, he was given no option of fine. Why should a poor citizen be jailed two years for stealing just one goat? How do we justify the death sentence handed down to four men for stealing only one phone worth N10,000? What is the rationale behind docking a JSS 2 student for stealing N200 from his classmate?

“These are questions begging for answers and we expect the minister to address this burning issue of gross injustice in the land particularly against the poor jamahiir (masses). The starting point should be the 54 soldiers. We strongly believe that they are victims of ego-massaging by senior officers.”

MURIC also brought the issue of the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy to the front burner.

“We are aware that the Federal Government (FG) on Tuesday 28^th August, 2018 inaugurated the Presidential Advisory Committee on Prerogative of Mercy. The Committee is to assist President Muhammadu Buhari in the discharge of his constitutional responsibility of granting state pardon to deserving prisoners and ex-convicts.

“The committee has been going round the states and it is doing a great job. But we are yet to hear what the committee thinks of the 54 soldiers. It is our considered opinion that the 54 soldiers are eminently eligible for presidential mercy. It may be pertinent here to inform the honourable minister that a special appeal for clemency for the 54 soldiers was addressed to the Vice President’s office by MURIC in November 2018.

“Prisoners are being released in large numbers around the world. Former US president Barrack Obama released 6,000 prisoners on 30^th October, 2015. Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta, released 7,000 prison inmates in October 2016 to make room for corruption offenders. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan ordered the release of 935 prisoners ahead of Ramadan on 14^th May, 2018. It is only in Nigeria that governors and chief judges release a paltry 8 or 9 prisoners and leave thousands in jail to waste away.

“We therefore expect Aregbesola to order the release of inmates in their thousands from each correctional centre. The minister had been an uncommon governor for eight good years and he had stunned Nigerians with his record-breaking performance. We are therefore expecting an equally uncommon, unprecedented and revolutionary decongestion of Nigeria’s correctional centres within the next six months. Indeed, we expect the release of at least 50% of the 73, 631 Nigerians who are presently in the correctional centres. This will fall in line with global best practices.

“Before we draw the curtain, we hail Aregbesola for planning to decongest the prisons. We appeal to him to take a compassionate, yet dispassionate look at the the case of the 54 soldiers with a view to setting them free.

Professor Ishaq Akintola,    

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

MURIC CONGRATU;ATES PMB ON SUPREME COURT VICTORY

30^th October, 2019

PRESS RELEASE:

MURIC CONGRATULATES PMB ON SUPREME COURT VICTORY

The Nigerian Supreme Court has declared President Muhammadu Buhari the authentic winner of the 2019 presidential election. The court dismissed the appeal of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in which he sought to upturn the validation of the results of the February 2019 elections by the presidential election tribunal.

The Supreme Court ruling was unanimous as the seven-man panel led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad picked holes in Atiku’s petition. Alhaji Atiku Abubakar was the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) while President Muhammadu Buhari represented the All Progressives Congress (APC)

Meanwhile the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari on the apex court’s ruling. MURIC described the decision of the highest court as a confirmation of the wish of the Nigerian people.

“We congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari for this well-deserved victory. In the same vein, we felicitate with the Chairman of the ruling party, Comrade Adams Oshiomole and the party’s National Leader, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“This is the General Will, the wish of the Nigerian people. We charge the triumphant party to be magnanimous in victory, to remain focussed on its anti-corruption agenda and to work tirelessly towards making life more abundant in Nigeria. We urge the opposition to join hands with President Muhammadu Buhari in moving the nation forward.

“MURIC hails the Supreme Court for a speedy legal process and for removing all unnecessary procrastination technicalities which had often slowed down judicial processes. We remind the CJN that Nigerians are anxiously awaiting the reform of the judiciary. He should therefore expedite action in this regard.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,    

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)

ATTACK ON MOSQUE IN IPERU: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

28^th October, 2019

PRESS RELEASE:

ATTACK ON MOSQUE IN IPERU: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH

Few weeks after the Oro cult group invaded a mosque in Idi-Iroko, Ogun State, another mosque, the Zumratul Mu’miniin Mosque in Amororo area of Iperu, Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State, has again been attacked by another cult group popularly known as Eluku. The mosque had its properties damaged. Vehicles and houses around the mosque also came under attack.

The latest attack occurred on Tuesday, 22^nd October, 2019 around 8.30 pm. At least three Muslims were hospitalized due to serious injuries inflicted on them by the attackers. Other worshippers in the Zumratul Mu’miniin Mosque who sustained various degrees of injury were discharged after receiving treatment (https://www.independent.ng/iperu-boils-as-eluku-cultists-attack-mosque-houses-destroy-properties/).

The Eluku cult members also poured boiling vegetable oil on three members of the mosque who had gone to report the incident at the Iperu police headquarters. Two of them, Nurein and Abdul Razaq, are currently receiving treatment at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH).

Meanwhile, an Islamic civil society group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has denounced the attack. The group spoke through its Founder and Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, who circulated a press statement on the incident on Monday, 28^th October, 2019.  

“We strongly denounce this unprovoked attack. It was premeditated, gruesome and vicious. It is an infringement on freedom of worship as enshrined in Section 38 (i) & (ii) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is one attack too many. There had been two separate attacks on mosques and Muslims in Ogun State this year 2019 alone. What have we done to deserve this incessant molestation?

“Traditional worshippers of Olosha Oba and Oro Cult invaded Umar Bin Khattab Mosque in Idi-Iroko in the Ipokia Local Government Area of Ogun State on Saturday, 27^th July, 2019 during the afternoon Zuhr prayer. Several Muslims were injured (https://guardian.ng/news/muric-condemns-invasion-of-idi-iroko-mosque-demands-justice/).

“Masquerade worshippers publicly removed the hijab from a Muslim woman’s head and beat her up in Abeokuta on 18^th June, 2019 (http://freepress.com.ng/2019/06/19/masquerade-brutalizes-sister-on-niqab-in-ogun-state/).

“This is the third attack on Muslims in Ogun State alone in 2019. Once is happenstance, twice is a coincidence, the third time is enemy action. If we call Idi Iroko mosque a mere happenstance, the beating up of a woman in hijab in Abeokuta township a coincidence, the latest mosque invasion at Iperu has no other name. It is enemy action.

“We are therefore constrained to ask the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, to explain to the whole world why Muslims are constantly exposed to danger under his watch. Dapo Abiodun became the executive governor of Ogun State on 29^th May, 2019. Since then, our mosques have been invaded twice and a Muslim woman was assaulted.

As the chief security officer in the state, the governor has not deemed it fit to issue a public statement on any of these attacks. Has the state government ever warned traditional worshippers over these attacks? Are we to assume that there is tacit approval?

“Who gave the green light and the licence to invade mosques and assault Muslims? Who asked the police to look the other way? Why should Muslim tax payers and law abiding citizens be subjected to intimidation? Ogun State Muslims voted for Governor Abiodun but they are not enjoying dividends of democracy. Otherwise why are they not being protected? Why are their attackers walking free on the streets?

 “MURIC has more cassu belli to hold Governor Abiodun responsible for the latest attack. It occurred in Iperu. Incidentally Iperu is the governor’s hometown. His kinsmen have now been emboldened to do whatever they like with Muslims. We find it difficult to believe that the governor has not been briefed seven days after the incident.

“Governor Abiodun has not deemed it fit to visit the scene of the attack. He does not think it is necessary to sympathise with the victims. No single government official has gone to sympathise with the injured victims in the hospital. This is unacceptable. We are deeply hurt. The Muslim community of Ogun State deserves some modicum of respect.

“Dapo Abiodun must fish out the culprits. The governor does not need to go far. Investigations conducted by the Iperu Zone of MURIC have revealed the identity of leaders of the Eluku cult in Iperu. Osako, Aluko and Young Owner are the key suspects. They are well known in the governor’s community.

“Looked at from another angle, we find it curious that Oro worshippers and Eluku cultists have never attacked any church in Ogun State. Their targets are always our mosques. Why is this so? We are therefore compelled to demand action from Imams, Muslim leaders and holders of Islamic titles in the state. They need to engage Muslims in robust sensitization and involve other groups in interfaith dialogue.

“We call the attention of chroniclers to what is happening to Muslims in Ogun State in particular and in the South West in general. Muslims are being chased from pillar to post. We are deprived of our civil rights. We cannot enjoy Allah-given fundamental human rights without first going to court.

“Our daughters are being locked out of school on account of ordinary headscarf (hijab). Our mosques are being invaded. Boiling vegetable oil is poured on innocent Muslims. It is persecution galore. Yet orientalists and jaundiced reporters still see nothing but violent Muslims. These atrocities are being documented today and the statements of MURIC will bear eloquent testimony against our traducers in the near future. Afterall today was born from the wombs of yesterday.

“Of equal significance is the wrong impression held by many that the South West is the home of religious tolerance in the whole country. We make bold to say that this is far from the truth. The reality on ground is that the South West is seen as the most tolerant zone because the Muslims in the sub-region have always persevered. They have always kept quiet in the face of daily provocation.

“Was it not in the South West that Christians instructed their children to go to school in masquerade garbs and church choir garments simply because a competent court of law granted Muslims right to use hijab? That was an attempt to rubbish the rule of law and it failed. At present, Muslims in the South West have been forced to institute court cases in Ibadan, Abeokuta, Lagos, etc over denial of civil rights.

“Traditionalists are always attacking Muslims in Ikorodu, Iperu, Idi Iroko, etc but Muslims have not hit back even once. The South West is therefore as volatile as other regions in Nigeria. The only difference is that Muslims in the sub-region are the ones bearing the brunt and sustaining the peace. But for how long?

“Our people say everyone can see the fly as it perches on the wounds of an innocent man now but nobody is saying anything. But there will be uproar when the innocent man decides to eat the fly.

“MURIC demands immediate arrest and prosecution of leaders of the Eluku cult in Iperu. We charge the police to protect mosques in Ogun State in particular and the South West in general. We invite Governor Dapo Abiodun to proactive governance particularly concerning affairs of Muslims in the state. Nigerians are waiting to see if the governor will do justice in the Iperu Mosque affair whose culprits are his kinsmen. Imams, Muslim leaders and Islamic title holders need to sit up. Enough is enough.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola,    

Director,

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)