The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Osun State Chapter, has dismissed recent allegations of genocide against Christians in Nigeria, describing them as false, biased, and part of a wider conspiracy to portray the country negatively and implicate innocent Muslims.
Reacting to recent developments in Washington D.C., where claims of Christian genocide in Nigeria were raised, MURIC said the narrative was “hypocritical and unfounded,” adding that it failed to reflect the reality on the ground. The group maintained that terrorism in Nigeria is not driven by religion, as both Muslims and Christians have been victims of attacks by insurgents and bandits.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Dr. Razaq Uthman, MURIC said available evidence indicated that Muslims have suffered more casualties in terrorist attacks across the country over the years. “Even though Nigeria continues to battle terrorism with all available resources, facts show that the nefarious acts of terrorists know no religious boundaries. Both Christians and Muslims have suffered losses, but Muslims constitute the greater percentage of the dead and kidnapped,” Uthman said.
He emphasized that the attempt to frame the crisis as religious persecution was a deliberate effort by certain groups to attract international sympathy and intervention. According to him, such narratives are dangerous, misleading, and capable of undermining Nigeria’s unity.
Dr. Uthman also attributed the spread of what he called “false genocide propaganda” to the influence of individuals and groups who, by virtue of media and economic dominance, amplify divisive narratives for ulterior motives.
He called on the Federal Government to produce reliable statistics on casualties and kidnappings from terrorist attacks across religious lines to counter misinformation and protect Nigeria’s image internationally.
While reaffirming MURIC’s commitment to national peace and harmony, Dr. Uthman urged Nigerians to resist attempts to inflame religious sentiments, stressing that terrorism in Nigeria targets all citizens regardless of faith. He also appealed to the international community to verify facts before drawing conclusions or issuing statements capable of worsening internal divisions.
“MURIC stands firmly for unity, peace, and mutual respect among all Nigerians. No religion benefits from war or hate; therefore, all hands must be on deck to ensure that the country remains united and strong,” he added.
