The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has distanced itself from a controversial statement issued in conjunction with a Fulani group, insisting that the publication was authored by a different Islamic organisation known as the Amalgamated Muslim Rights Concern (AMURIC).
In a statement released on Saturday and signed by the Secretary of its Oyo State Chapter, Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, MURIC said the clarification became necessary following public confusion arising from the similarity between the names of the two organisations.
According to the group, it was AMURIC not MURIC that issued the joint statement with the Fulani group on Friday, June 5, 2026, stressed that it neither participated in nor had prior knowledge of the publication.
“We wish to explain further that it was AMURIC that issued a statement in conjunction with a Fulani group yesterday, not MURIC,” the statement said.
While describing AMURIC as a sister Islamic organisation made up of respected Muslim brothers and sisters, MURIC urged its leadership to adopt a more distinct name to prevent confusion among members of the public, media organisations and other stakeholders.
The organisation noted that changing its own name would be difficult because it has operated under the MURIC identity since its establishment in 1994 and was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) under that name.
MURIC also disclosed that its clarification was prompted by a difference of opinion with the position taken by AMURIC in the disputed statement.
Specifically, the group said it saw no justification for bringing the names of prominent Yoruba figures into the debate, including Chief Sunday Igboho, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.
Reaffirming its position on security challenges facing the South-West, MURIC maintained that the Yoruba people, like every other ethnic group in Nigeria, have an inalienable right to defend themselves against bandits and terrorists.
The group added that Yoruba leaders have the right to mobilise young people and support lawful community-based efforts aimed at protecting lives and property.
Although it described itself as a national organisation, MURIC expressed support for local security outfits such as Amotekun, the Oduduwa People’s Congress (OPC) and Iru Ekun, saying they have important roles to play in confronting criminal elements operating in Yorubaland.
“MURIC believes that bandits who make inroads into Yorubaland should be severely dealt with by both the security agencies and the civilians themselves under the auspices of vigilante groups,” the statement said.
The organisation concluded by reiterating that it had no connection whatsoever with the joint statement issued by AMURIC and the Fulani group, urged the public to clearly distinguish between the two organisations.
