The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Kwara State Chapter, has raised serious alarm over the violent attack on women from Oke-Odo community, Ifelodun Local Government Area, who were peacefully protesting at the Kwara State Government House over the growing menace of kidnapping in their area.
MURIC said the women were lawfully exercising their constitutional rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly when their protest was allegedly disrupted by hired thugs, describing the incident as an unacceptable assault on unarmed citizens, particularly women.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the faith-based human rights organisation strongly condemned the attack and demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of all those involved.
“MURIC denounces in the strongest terms this barbaric assault on innocent women and calls on security agencies to swiftly apprehend and prosecute the culprits to serve as a deterrent to others,” the group stated.
The organisation, however, commended the Kwara State Government for its prompt reaction in condemning the violence and clearly distancing itself from the perpetrators. According to MURIC, the government’s response reflects Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s commitment to public safety, rule of law, and respect for citizens’ rights.
MURIC urged the state government to build on this stance by ensuring a thorough investigation and bringing all those responsible to justice, stressing that accountability is key to sustaining public confidence in governance and security institutions.
While reaffirming its support for citizens’ right to peaceful protest, MURIC advised women in affected communities to also consider traditional and community-based avenues of engagement, such as working through respected community leaders and traditional rulers who have direct access to the state government.
The organisation noted that Islamic teachings uphold the dignity and protection of women and encourage wisdom, strategic engagement, and caution in the pursuit of justice, especially in volatile situations.
MURIC reaffirmed its commitment to peace and security in Kwara State and called on residents to cooperate with security agencies by remaining vigilant and reporting suspicious activities in their communities.
The statement concluded with prayers for lasting peace and security in Kwara State and across the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
