Muslims have become endangered species in Nigeria, according to the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).
MURIC Director, Prof. Isiaq Akintola, said this while reacting to the attack on a central mosque at Ugelli, Delta State, on Friday.
He urged security agents to fish out the perpetrators and rescue the Imam who was abducted during the attack.
“The Imam of Ughelli Central Mosque, Mallam Muhammadu Sani, was yesterday whisked away by gunmen who attacked the mosque. Eleven worshippers were also shot. The gunmen stormed the Mosque located at Otovwievwiere Street in Okorodafe axis of Ughelli by 6 am yesterday, Friday, 2nd December, 2022.”
“This is a dastardly act that must be condemned by all right-thinking people and we condemn it in the strongest terms. It is another evidence of hate crimes targeted at Muslims in the South East in recent time.
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“It will be recalled that the Secretary of the Delta State Muslim Council, Mallam Musa Ugasa, a resident of Ughelli, was brutally killed earlier this year by yet to be identified persons,” Akintola said.
He also said those who claim that only Christians are being killed in Nigeria have many questions to answer.
He said, “Shaykh Ibrahim Iyiorji was killed in Isu, Onicha Local Government of Ebonyi State on 4th September, 2022. Seven Muslims were killed in Orogie, Owerri, Imo State on 5th August, 2022.
“Another four Muslims were killed in Umuaka, near Orlu on 4th April, 2021. Again, another set of eleven innocent Muslims were mowed down by gunmen in Port Harcourt and Orlu on 20th October, 2020.
“Five other Muslims were also killed near the popular Abraka market in Asaba, Delta State on 15th September, 2017. The list is endless.
“Friday’s attack on Ughelli Central Mosque is one too man… Muslims have become endangered species not only in Delta State but in the entire South East, thus the trend must be arrested.”
