By Fatima Saka
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has dismissed allegations linking it and other Yoruba Muslim groups to the invitation of bandits and Boko Haram terrorists into South-West Nigeria, describing the claims as unfounded and driven by religious hostility.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said the allegation originated from what he termed “Muslim haters,” accusing certain elements of orchestrating a smear campaign to tarnish the image of the organisation and stigmatise Yoruba Muslims.
Akintola was reacting to a social media post alleging that MURIC had radicalised Islamic clerics in the South-West who were allegedly inviting terrorists into the region. He described the claim as “satanic” and “illogical,” insisting that it contradicts both reason and the group’s established stance against terrorism.
“It is just too illogical. How can MURIC or any Yoruba Muslim group invite Boko Haram or bandits to Yorubaland when we all know that those criminals do not differentiate on the basis of religion? They kill more Muslims than Christians and attack both mosques and churches,” he said.
The MURIC leader emphasised that the organisation has consistently condemned acts of terrorism over the years, citing several instances where it spoke against Boko Haram attacks, including incidents in Borno, Ondo, Zamfara, and the Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
He added that MURIC’s philosophy, encapsulated in its motto “Dialogue, Not Violence,” reflects its commitment to peaceful engagement and intellectual advocacy, distancing the group from any form of extremism.
According to him, the recurring accusations against MURIC are part of a broader attempt to suppress advocacy for the rights of Yoruba Muslims, whom he claimed have faced longstanding religious discrimination in the region.
“Any individual or group who seeks to emancipate Muslims in Yorubaland is often labelled as extremist or fundamentalist. This is the case of MURIC, and it explains why false allegations are repeatedly concocted against us,” Akintola stated.
The group also warned against religious profiling and stereotyping, cautioning that such narratives could deepen divisions and undermine efforts to address insecurity in the country.
Calling for unity, MURIC urged all Yoruba citizens, irrespective of religious affiliation, to work together in confronting the growing threat of banditry and terrorism in the South-West.
“This is not about religion. It is about protecting our land, our people, and our future. A divided house cannot stand. We must unite against a common enemy,” he said.
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Akintola further encouraged youths to support lawful community-based security efforts, including recognised vigilante groups, stressing that collective action is crucial in combating insecurity.
MURIC reaffirmed its commitment to peace and national unity, while urging security agencies and the public to focus on credible threats rather than be distracted by what it described as baseless and divisive allegations.
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