The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has criticised the Federal Government over the absence of free train services for Muslims travelling during the 2026 Eid-el-Kabir celebration, alleging discriminatory treatment against adherents of Islam.
Executive Director of the group,Prof. Ishaq Akintola, raised the concern in a statement issued on Monday, arguing that while free train rides have repeatedly been provided during Christmas and Easter celebrations, no similar gesture has been extended to Muslims for Salah.
According to Akintola, the Federal Government only announced an increase in train operations for the festive period instead of free transportation for travellers. He noted that the Nigerian Railway Corporation increased Lagos-Ibadan train trips to six daily services for Salah, but stopped short of declaring free rides.
MURIC contrasted the Federal Government’s action with that of the Osun State Government, which it said continued the tradition of offering free train rides during festive periods initiated by former governor Rauf Aregbesola.
The Islamic rights group described the development as unfair and accused the Federal Government of favouring Christians over Muslims in the implementation of transport relief measures during religious festivities.
Akintola recalled that MURIC had raised similar concerns in 2025, insisting that the repeated absence of free train services for Salah could worsen feelings of exclusion among Muslims.
The group warned that if free train rides are again introduced during Christmas celebrations later in December 2026 without similar consideration for Muslims, it would reinforce allegations of religious bias by the government.
While acknowledging that free train rides are a privilege and not a constitutional right, MURIC maintained that such benefits should be applied fairly across religious groups to promote unity and strengthen interfaith harmony in the country.
