MURIC Seeks Arrest Of Man Pushing For Violence Against Igbo Muslims

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on security agencies to arrest and prosecute a man identified as Maazi Kanayo over alleged incitement against Igbo Muslims in the South East.

The organisation said the call followed a viral audio message in which Maazi Kanayo allegedly urged the Igbo people of South Eastern Nigeria to kidnap Igbo Muslims and bury them alive.

The call was contained in a statement issued by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

“We are in possession of a viral video clip in which the audio message of one Maazi Kanayo was aired. In the audio, Maazi Kanayo incited  the Igbo people of South Eastern Nigeria to kidnap Igbo Muslims and bury them alive,” the statement said.

MURIC further alleged that the audio message specifically mentioned certain states in the South East.

“Maazi Kanayo specifically directed his potential kidnappers and killers to target Muslims of Igbo extraction living in Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo States. This is the last thing Nigeria needs at a time when the whole country faces serious insecurity,” the organisation stated.

The group described the alleged comments as dangerous and capable of worsening tensions in the region.

“This is an extremely dangerous dimension as the audio puts the lives of thousands of Igbo Muslims on the line. Some Igbo Muslims are traditional rulers in their communities and this implies the likelihood of communal turbulence in the South East,” the statement added.

“MURIC therefore calls on the security agencies, particularly men of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police to arrest, detain and prosecute Maazi Kanayo. Every minute counts as the lives of thousands of people hangs in the balance.” (Daily trust)