The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has decried what it described as an attempt to implicate Muslims in Osun State in a framed ‘Boko Haram’ attack by some overzealous individuals in the state recently.

The Non governmental Organisation said at a press conference recently that a cleric and some individuals conspired to cause trouble in the state with the aim of blaming it on Muslims.

“It is however sad to note that in spite of this all-round rejection of the renegade group by Muslims, a large section of non-Muslims, some sections of the Nigerian security agencies and a section of the Nigerian press still treat mainstream Muslims in the country either as active members of Boko Haram, sympathisers of the group or their accomplices.”

The group further stated that more Muslims than Christians have been killed since the emergence of this ugly phenomenon. More Islamic scholars have also been killed than Christian clerics, particularly Islamic scholars who speak out against Boko Haram, adding that no less than three Northern Emirs have been attacked and some of them killed by the insurgent group.

MURIC lamented that while some good and level-headed Christians continue to interact peacefully with Muslims, some overzealous Christians use every means possible to link peace-loving Muslims with the activities of Boko Haram.

“A good example of these fanatics was a pastor of a Church, in Ikonifin, Osun State, who attempted to launch false Boko Haram attack in the State, conspiring with three members of his church, (names withheld) with the aim of blaming Muslims for the attack.”

Narrating the inicidence, the group said: “They dressed like Muslims, wrapped their heads in turbans and covered their faces to avoid being recognised by members of the church. They stormed the church during the church service held on Sunday May 18, 2014, using some fireworks scaring all the worshippers who thought they were Boko Haram insurgents. On seeing this, the worshippers took to their heels, running helter skelter to save their lives. Many of them were injured. They then jumped on their get-away motorcycles and sped off into the dark night.”

MURIC said the ‘attackers’ were arrested by the youths of the community. The group added that the culprits later confessed that they were members of the same church they came to ‘attack’. They also revealed that it was their pastor who planned the whole thing. According to MURIC, when confronted, the pastor said it was just ‘drama’. The case was reported at Bode Osi Police Station, near Iwo,” said MURIC.

Charges Police on investigation

In particular, we charge the Commissioner of Police in Osun State to do the needful. The law must be allowed to take its full course and quickly too. Justice delayed is justice denied. The said Pastor has disturbed the peace of Osun State and if we want peace in the state, he and his fellow trouble-makers must be dealt with according to the law in order to serve as deterrent to others. False alarm is a criminal offence and this problem must be nipped in the bud because it is election year in Osun State.

Appeal to Muslims:

We appeal to all Muslims to remain calm and law-abiding. We call on Muslims not to judge the rest of Nigerian Christians by the attitude of the overzealous pastor. We implore you to continue to love and tolerate your neighbours. Allah created the world for love and peace and gave us Islam as the religion of peace. We urge you to intensify your prayers for peace to return to Nigeria while also praying that Allah expose all those behind the Boko Haram saga in Northern Nigeria.

“Let me remind you that the leadership of the Nigerian Muslim Ummah, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’d Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has vehemently condemned the activities of Boko Haram. All Islamic organizations in the country have also rejected the group. Condemnation of Boko Haram and its satanic activities have also emanated from leading Islamic scholars in Saudi Arabia and Egypt.”