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Stop plot to unleash violence on S’West Muslims, MURIC urges security agencies

Published

1 year ago

January 31, 2025

MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola

Stop plot to unleash violence on S’West Muslims, MURIC urges security agencies

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Department of State Security and other security agencies in Nigeria to stop the plot to unleash violence on South West Muslims. Making the call on Friday, January 31, 2025, is the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
In a statement, Akintola disclosed that there had been a plethora of threats in video clips and articles circulated on social media which were directed at Yoruba Muslims and their leaders over the ongoing Shari’ah controversy.

The full statement read, “We are constrained to call the attention of the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Department of State Security (DSS) and other security agencies in Nigeria to stop the plot to unleash violence on South West Muslims. The plot thickens on daily basis as new threats are issued by different Yoruba groups.

“The latest is a statement issued by one Ahmed Saliu Olokoju (names likely to be fake) who called himself the Secretary General, Yoruba Islamic Salvation Front (YOISF), an hitherto unknown group.

“In an article captioned ‘Shariah in Yorubaland: The Fulani Grand Plot to Destroy Yorubaland’, Olokoju labelled Yoruba Muslims who are supporting civil Shari’ah in Yorubaland as ‘Fulani agents’. This is ethnic bigotry and incitement of one ethnic group against another.

“He also engaged in criminal name-dropping by directly mentioning the names of Muslim leaders and that of a prominent Muslim traditional ruler. He wrote, ‘The game changer to destroy Yorubaland is to introduce Sharia. The rogues, criminals supporting them are one Akintola from Ile Ife who lectures at Lagos State University, the Oluwo of Iwo, Mahmud Adesina and a few others whom we understand have been paid some $10m in advance. To them, religion is profit.’

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“This was followed by direct threats to wage ‘holy war’ against proponents of Shari’ah, ‘to seek them, their children, their wives and their businesses’. According to him, ‘…To mobilise and wage holy war against these promoters of Sharia and their agents in Yorubaland. We shall pursue them and seek them, their children, their wives and their businesses wherever they are. Yorubaland must never and can never have Sharia. That is a call for war in families and in communities.’

“Olokoju also mobilized his audience to join his murderous group for training in terrorist acts against Yoruba Muslims. He said, ‘If you are reading this, pass it on, and if join YOISF in your locality for the training and preparation for Jihad against Yoruba rogues, criminals and bastards who are bent on using religion to cause civil war in Yorubaland. We shall stop them with their own SWORD and GUN.’

“This should not be treated with levity. It is no longer a joke. The threats are coming from the right, left and center and it is always against Yoruba Muslims and their leaders, all because we refuse to be forcefully converted to Christianity. We refuse to be assimilated. False Muslim names are being adopted by blackmailers and Christian terrorists who masquerade as Muslims. It is the height of cowardice.

“Above all, it should be noted that all the threats emerging from Yorubaland have emanated from faceless Yoruba groups against Yoruba Muslims. Meanwhile Yoruba Muslims have remained cool, collected and unperturbed without responding in like manner.

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“We want the security agencies to take note of this and to rise to the task. Nobody should change the narratives after Yoruba Muslims have been attacked. It is clear now that the first threats came from the other side. It is only logical to assume that the first attack or attacks will also come from the other side. The security agents can prevent the mayhem if they move now.

“Besides, the presidency cannot afford to ignore threats of war coming from the president’s own people. This is the time for Aso Rock to pay attention to religious rumblings in the president’s backyard.

“In like manner, we call all religious leaders in the geopolitical zone to take necessary steps towards dousing tension on the Shari’ah imbroglio because any religious war in Yorubaland will spell doom for the whole South West population.

“MURIC will not make provocative statements. Neither shall we incite Muslim youths. But the latter are equally watching the scenario. They are not fools. We are also aware that there is a limit that we can continue to hold their reins. This is why the security agents have a duty to stop the spate of threats. Non-Muslims have no right to dictate to us how to practice our religion.

“We have confidence in the professionalism and non-partisanship of the Nigerian security agencies. Those threatening to unleash violence on Muslims must be stopped. The time is now.

“We appeal to all Yoruba Muslims and their brethren in faith all over the country to remain calm and patient. There should be no inflammatory remarks or provocative writeups.

“We urge the entire Nigerian Muslim Community to abide by the principle of peaceful coexistence laid down by the leadership of the Nigerian Supreme Council For Islamic Affairs (NSCIA). We are a disciplined people and ours is a religion of peace. Let us be good ambassadors of Islam.”

Stop plot to unleash violence on S’West Muslims, MURIC urges security agencies

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El-Rufai to Appear Before EFCC After Alleged Airport Arrest Attempt

Published

12 hours ago

February 12, 2026

Trends Admin

Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai

El-Rufai to Appear Before EFCC After Alleged Airport Arrest Attempt

Former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, is scheduled to appear before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026, following what his legal team described as an attempted arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

El-Rufai’s counsel, Ubong Esop Akpan, disclosed this while reacting to Thursday’s incident involving security operatives. According to him, the former governor was approached shortly after arriving in Abuja aboard Egypt Air flight MS 877 from Cairo, where he had reportedly travelled for medical treatment and rest.

Akpan described the development as a “flagrant violation of constitutional rights, executive overreach, and deliberate disregard for the rule of law.” He explained that the EFCC invitation was delivered to El-Rufai’s residence while he was already outside Nigeria, making immediate compliance “illogical and impractical.” According to the lawyer, it was unreasonable to expect instantaneous attendance from someone who was abroad at the time the invitation was issued.

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The legal team said it had formally communicated with the EFCC since December 2025, assuring the Commission that El-Rufai would comply upon his return. He added that the EFCC was explicitly notified that the former governor would voluntarily appear at the Commission’s office by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, specifying both the date and time. Resorting to an attempted arrest despite that commitment, he argued, amounted to arbitrary conduct and procedural abuse.

Akpan further alleged that El-Rufai’s passport was seized during the encounter and demanded its immediate return, along with a formal apology. He maintained that there was no lawful basis for the attempted arrest or what he termed mistreatment, stressing that El-Rufai had publicly affirmed his willingness to face any legitimate investigation.

As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC has not issued an official statement regarding the airport incident or the exact nature of the allegations under investigation. However, sources indicate that the former governor’s invitation may be linked to ongoing investigations into alleged financial transactions and administrative decisions during his tenure in Kaduna State.

The development has generated significant political interest, given El-Rufai’s influence in national politics and his outspoken role in governance debates. His scheduled appearance before the anti-corruption agency on Monday is expected to shed more light on the allegations and determine the next steps in the matter.

El-Rufai to Appear Before EFCC After Alleged Airport Arrest Attempt

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Four Sentenced to Death for Murder of Ahoada DPO in Rivers

Published

12 hours ago

February 12, 2026

Trends Admin

Four Sentenced to Death for Murder of Ahoada DPO in Rivers

A Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt has sentenced four individuals to death by hanging for their involvement in the brutal killing of Superintendent of Police (SP) Bako Amgbashim, the former Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ahoada East Division. The verdict, delivered on Thursday, February 12, 2026, marks a major milestone in a high-profile case that captured national attention nearly three years ago.

Justice Sika Aprioku, presiding over the case, found Robinson Sonabari, a native doctor; Bright Okparawo; Precious Amaeze, popularly known as “Selina”; and Loveday Jack, also called “Ragged Excess,” guilty of conspiracy, murder, membership of a secret cult group, and robbery. The judge ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt and ordered that the four convicts be executed by hanging, the maximum penalty under Nigerian law.

Additionally, Samuel Nwadinma, the sixth defendant, was convicted of conspiracy and sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. One defendant was discharged and acquitted due to insufficient evidence, while five others — previously found guilty of cult group membership — were freed after the court noted they had already served the statutory term while in custody.

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The case arose from the murder of SP Bako Amgbashim on September 8, 2023, during a police operation in Odemude community, Ahoada East Local Government Area. The officer was ambushed and killed by suspected cultists, and his body was reportedly mutilated, sparking widespread outrage and prompting intensified security operations in the area.

During the trial, it emerged that Robinson Sonabari played a key role, allegedly preparing the charm used to execute the attack on the late DPO. Prosecutors presented eyewitness testimony, forensic evidence, and confessions, while the defense failed to disprove the charges, leading to the death sentences.

Speaking to journalists after the ruling, lead prosecution counsel Chigozie Amadi of the Rivers State Ministry of Justice described the judgment as a triumph of justice. He was joined by Celestine Dickson, representing the Nigeria Police, who condemned the rising attacks on law enforcement officers and stressed that the ruling would serve as a deterrent to criminal elements targeting security personnel.

Akasco Amgbashim, elder brother of the slain officer, expressed relief at the verdict, thanking the judiciary, the state government, and the police for pursuing justice. He emphasized that the ruling should remind all that no one has the right to unlawfully take another person’s life.

The four condemned convicts were among 72 individuals originally arraigned before the court by a joint prosecution team from the Department of Public Prosecutions and the Rivers State Police Command. During the trial, 61 defendants, including traditional ruler Eze Kelvin Anugwo and former Ahoada East Council Chairman Cassidy Ikegbidi, were discharged and acquitted due to lack of evidence, leaving 13 to face final judgment.

Thursday’s verdict brings closure to a case that began with the tragic murder of SP Amgbashim, reinforced by joint security operations that later led to the killing of a suspected cult leader, David Okparanwo (“2Baba”), believed to have orchestrated the attack. The judgment is seen as a strong statement that violent crimes against law enforcement officers will not go unpunished.

Four Sentenced to Death for Murder of Ahoada DPO in Rivers

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Nigerian Army Rescues Eight Kidnapped Wedding Guests in Kano

Published

12 hours ago

February 12, 2026

Trends Admin

Nigerian Army Rescues Eight Kidnapped Wedding Guests in Kano

Nigerian Army troops have successfully rescued eight of the ten people abducted during a wedding ceremony in Dabawa, Shanono Local Government Area of Kano State, security sources confirmed on Thursday, February 12, 2026. The operation highlights the military’s ongoing efforts to combat banditry and kidnappings in northern Nigeria.

According to a credible Army Headquarters source, a group of gunmen dressed in military camouflage stormed the wedding on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, and forcibly abducted several guests. The assailants reportedly fled toward neighboring Katsina State after the attack.

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Troops stationed at an ambush position along the Yankwada River line responded immediately after receiving a distress call, pursuing the kidnappers to Garu Village in Katsina. Contact with the fleeing gunmen was later lost along the Katsina–Gidan Mutum Daya road axis, but the operation led to the safe rescue of eight victims, who have now been reunited with their families.

Military authorities confirmed that efforts are ongoing to locate and rescue the remaining two victims still in captivity. Operations in the area continue to prevent further attacks and ensure the safety of local communities.

The rescue operation forms part of a broader counter-kidnapping strategy by the Nigerian military in Kano and neighboring states, aimed at protecting civilians and deterring banditry. Analysts say the swift response demonstrates the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations in combating organized kidnapping networks in northern Nigeria.

Residents have expressed relief and gratitude to the troops, urging continued vigilance and enhanced security measures at public events to prevent similar incidents in the future.