The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has faulted the Ondo State Police Command for allegedly handling with levity the attack on a Muslim cleric and his family by masqueraders in Oke-Agbe, Akoko, Ondo State. The Islamic human rights group contrasted the Ondo police’s approach with the swift action taken by their Enugu counterpart, which led to the arrest and remand of three masqueraders involved in a similar incident.
MURIC made its position known in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, and made available to journalists on Thursday, July 3, 2025.
According to the statement, three masqueraders—Emeka Eze, Omeke Uchechukwu, and Malachi Michael were arrested by the Enugu State Police Command for allegedly assaulting members of the public during the Oriokpa masquerade celebration in Nsukka on June 22. The suspects have since been arraigned and remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Centre, with the case adjourned to July 31 for further hearing.
In contrast, MURIC decried the lack of arrests in the Ondo incident which occurred on June 12, when masqueraders reportedly attacked the residence and mosque of an Imam in Oke-Agbe, brutalised his wives and children. The group expressed dismay that the only outcome from police intervention was a reported letter of apology, despite the severity of the assault.
“We are compelled to compare and contrast the two incidents. While Enugu swiftly ensured justice by arresting and arraigning suspects, the Ondo case has only led to meetings and apologies, with no visible sign of justice for the victims,” Akintola stated.
MURIC further described the Ondo incident as aggravated, considering it involved an attack on a religious leader, women and children, and a place of worship an act capable of sparking religious tension nationwide.
The group also recalled previous incidents of similar attacks, notably a 2017 assault on worshippers inside a mosque in Ikun-Ekiti, Ekiti State, which also ended without arrests.
“The rule of law must be upheld irrespective of religion or region. If masqueraders can be swiftly arrested in Enugu for assault, why are those in Ondo above the law after committing a worse offence?” Akintola queried.
The organization urged the Ondo State Police Command to clarify whether any arrests have been made, noting that silence or selective justice may embolden further attacks on religious minorities.
MURIC reiterated that justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done by all Nigerians, regardless of faith or ethnicity.
