MURIC condemns attack on Sokoto cleric, mob killing of suspect

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Sokoto State chapter, has condemned the attack on Islamic cleric, Sheikh Musa Lukuwa, as well as the alleged mob killing of the suspected attacker.

MURIC, in a statement signed by its representative, Dr Muhammad Mansur Aliyu, said no provocation or religious disagreement could justify violence or the taking of a life outside the due process of law.

The organisation said it was equally concerned about some recent public statements attributed to Lukuwa, which it described as provocative and capable of causing tension in the state.

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According to MURIC, it had obtained video recordings of several statements allegedly made by the cleric, including comments concerning the status of the parents of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), the tomb of Sheikh Usman Dan Fodiyo, the Sultan of Sokoto, the state judiciary and the Ministry of Justice.

It said such statements should not simply be dismissed as theological disagreements or freedom of expression if they had the potential to threaten public peace.

“Religious freedom carries with it a corresponding responsibility to avoid incitement, insult, provocation, and statements capable of threatening public peace,” the organisation said.

MURIC also criticised the security agencies and government authorities for allegedly failing to act proactively over what it described as repeated controversial and provocative pronouncements.

It said the cleric could have been invited by relevant security agencies for clarification, counselling and appropriate caution on the possible consequences of his preaching.

However, the group stressed that any failure by government or security agencies to intervene did not give individuals the right to take the law into their own hands.

“MURIC condemns jungle justice in all its forms. The sanctity of human life is inviolable, and no alleged offence, insult, theological disagreement, or provocation can justify an extrajudicial killing,” it said.

The organisation called on the Sokoto State Government and security agencies to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into both the attack on Lukuwa and the alleged killing of the suspected attacker.

It also urged the authorities to identify and prosecute anyone found to have participated in the alleged mob action.

MURIC further called for an investigation into the video recordings and public statements attributed to Lukuwa to determine whether any of them violated Nigerian law.

It said the law must apply equally to what it described as provocation and violence.

The group urged religious leaders, traditional institutions, political actors and members of the public to exercise restraint and avoid statements or actions capable of inflaming religious sentiments.

“Sokoto has a rich history of Islamic scholarship, tolerance, intellectual engagement, and respect for lawful authority. That heritage must not be destroyed by provocative preaching on one hand or mob violence on the other,” MURIC said.

It called on the state government and security agencies to act immediately to prevent the situation from escalating further.