The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has issued an urgent Save Our Soul (SOS) appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over what it described as a looming humanitarian crisis in Katsina State, following the mass displacement of Muslim communities threatened by bandits.
In a statement released on April 8, 2026, the organisation’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said panic had gripped residents of Sukuntuni and adjoining communities in Kankia Local Government Area, forcing hundreds to flee their homes.
MURIC revealed that the exodus was triggered by a letter allegedly sent by bandits demanding 700 cows and 1,000 sheep as ransom to avert an attack. The ultimatum, reportedly issued on April 6, gave the communities until April 10 to comply.
According to the group, affected areas include communities stretching from Kankiya to Musawa, Chuga, and Matazu, where residents men, women, and children were seen trekking in large numbers to uncertain destinations in search of safety.
Describing the development as tragic and deeply disturbing, MURIC said it had obtained a video clip showing distressed residents abandoning their ancestral homes, warning that the situation underscores the worsening insecurity across northern Nigeria.
The organisation called on President Tinubu to prioritise security and take decisive action to protect vulnerable communities, stressed that the primary responsibility of government, as enshrined in the Constitution, is the safety and welfare of citizens.
MURIC also took a swipe at the Ministry of Defence, questioned its response to the escalating wave of attacks, and urged security agencies to act swiftly to prevent further displacement and restore confidence among affected populations.
While addressing broader narratives around insecurity, the group maintained that victims of banditry and terrorism cut across religious lines, insisted that the violence is driven by criminality rather than targeted religious persecution.
The organisation appealed for immediate intervention to secure the affected communities, facilitate the safe return of displaced residents, and halt the growing cycle of fear and displacement in Katsina State.
