Attacks on Igbo Muslims: MURIC demands prosecution of Rev Fr. Onah

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Rev. Fr. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, for using his recent church sermon to incite Christians of Nsukka, Enugu State, to attack Muslims and destroy mosques in the town.

The MURIC Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, who made the call on Friday in a statement, said that the organisation endorsed the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA)’s call in a petition to the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest and prosecute Rev. Onah.

• NSCIA petitions IGP, DSS over pastor’s anti-Muslim sermon
• Mosques destroyed, shops burgled as mob attacks Nsukka Muslim communities

“The MURIC is in possession of a video clip in which Rev. Fr. Godfrey Igwebuike Onah incited Christians a few days ago.

“The clergyman said inter alia, ‘It is not possible that here in Nsukka we hear the Muslim call to prayer from our windows as early as 4 am…’

“There is no doubt that this is an undisguised directive to attack and destroy mosques in Nsukka and, by extension, the whole South East.

“Two mosques were burnt beyond recognition in the same town within one week of that incitement.

“A number of Muslims were also attacked and injured,” Akintola said.

According to him, Rev. Onah’s sermon was laced with hatred and bitterness; thus there must be consequences for such diatribe otherwise violence will run a full cycle.

“Religious leaders, who instigate violence and watch as their hate speech consume people and property have lost the moral right to be respected as leaders.

“It will be recalled that the NSCIA has sent a petition to the DG of the DSS.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and we are waiting to see whether or not the DSS will do the needful.

“It is imperative for the DSS to act for three reasons.

“One, it will assure victims of the attacks that there is hope for redress; two, it will serve as deterrent for other religious leaders who may want to use the pulpit or minbar to ignite crisis; three, Muslims who are aggrieved by the attacks on their fellow faithful will be assuaged,” the body said.