Abuja, May 25, 2026 — The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has criticised the Federal Government over the عدم provision of free train services for the 2026 Eid al-Kabir (Salah) celebrations, alleging discriminatory treatment compared to Christian festivities.
In a statement issued on Monday, the group’s Executive Director, Ishaq Akintola, questioned why the government had not extended the same free rail transport traditionally offered during Christmas and Easter to Muslim faithful during Salah.
The Muslim rights advocacy group noted that with the festival scheduled to begin on May 27, no announcement had been made regarding free train rides, despite the proximity of the celebrations. Instead, the Federal Government of Nigeria had only approved an increase in train frequency, particularly on the Lagos-Ibadan corridor, with six daily trips.
MURIC described the move as inadequate and contrasted it with previous government gestures, where free train services were reportedly provided for extended periods during Christian holidays. The group argued that the disparity raises concerns about fairness and inclusivity in national policies.
The statement also commended the Osun State Government for continuing its tradition of offering free train services during festive periods, describing it as a model of equitable governance.
Expressing disappointment, MURIC warned that such perceived preferential treatment could undermine national unity and interfaith harmony. It further recalled raising similar concerns in 2025, noting that no corrective action appears to have been taken since then.
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While acknowledging that free train rides are a privilege rather than a right, the group insisted that if such benefits are introduced, they should be applied equitably across all religious groups.
MURIC concluded by stating that any repetition of free train services during Christmas 2026, without similar provisions for Salah, would reinforce allegations of bias and deepen feelings of marginalisation among Nigerian Muslims.
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