MURIC CRITICISES PROPOSED US SANCTIONS ON NIGERIAN MUSLIM LEADERS, CALLS MOVE BIASED

 MURIC CRITICISES PROPOSED US SANCTIONS ON NIGERIAN MUSLIM LEADERS, CALLS MOVE BIASED


The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has condemned proposed sanctions by lawmakers in the United States targeting some Muslim leaders and organisations in Nigeria, describing the move as selective and unfair.

In a statement released on Thursday, the Executive Director of Muslim Rights Concern, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, said the proposed measures focus disproportionately on Muslim figures while allegedly overlooking similar accusations against other groups across the country.

The criticism followed the introduction of a bill by five members of the United States Congress, which seeks visa restrictions and asset freezes against former Kano State Governor and New Nigeria People’s Party leader, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as well as organisations including the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.

MURIC argued that the proposed sanctions fail to sufficiently consider allegations of abuses involving government officials in parts of Southern Nigeria and violent activities linked to non-Muslim militia groups in the North-Central region. According to the group, extremist violence in Nigeria cuts across religious lines and should be addressed without bias.

Akintola stated that acts of violence and human rights violations in the country are not exclusive to any single religious community, adding that any international response should be comprehensive, evidence-based, and balanced.

He further maintained that MURIC, which has operated as a Muslim human rights organisation since 1994, possesses documented records of alleged discrimination and rights violations against Muslims in different parts of Nigeria. He said the group is prepared to present such records to international bodies if given the opportunity.

The organisation also expressed concern over what it described as a pattern of engagement in which international actors allegedly give more attention to Christian advocacy voices from Nigeria than to Muslim groups, a situation it said undermines fairness and inclusivity.

MURIC urged US lawmakers to undertake broader consultations and thorough investigations before taking actions that could heighten religious tension or be perceived as one-sided. The group warned that selective sanctions could deepen divisions rather than contribute to peace and accountability.

As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from US authorities to MURIC’s claims.

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