By Suleiman Shehu
Ibadan- Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), an NGO, has condemned the attack on a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Ezeugwu, by masquerades in Nsukka.
MURIC’s Director Ishaq Akintola, made the condemnation in a statement he issued on Tuesday in Ibadan, describing the attack as “barbaric and crude”.
It would be recalled that Ezeugwu was reportedly attacked on March 29 in Nsukka and beaten to a state of coma by a group of masquerades popularly called `Oriokpa’, which barricaded the road at Ugwuoyia, Nsukka.
Akintola condemned what he called “wanton exhibition of religious extremism by traditionalists”, adding that it was crude, barbaric and symptomatic of thuggery and hooliganism.
“We call the attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the excesses of traditionalists particularly in Southern Nigeria.
“Even in the South-West, the Oro cult worshippers behave as if they are above the law. Traditionalists impose illegal curfew without being challenged by the authorities.
“A good example is the curfew imposed by Oro cultists in Ikorodu, Lagos State, during the last Ramadan season, which nearly caused a violent clash between Muslims and traditionalists.
“It is well known that Muslims shuttle between the mosques and their homes day and night during Ramadan.
“The imposition of a curfew during such a period was not only illegal but also provocative.’’
He said although the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Section 38 (i) & (ii) guarantee freedom of religion, thereby empowering traditionalists to freely practise their faith, it does not allow one group to lord it over another person.
“And the right of traditionalists to religious freedom stops where it begins to encroach on others’ rights.”
The director said that for genuine and enduring peace to thrive, Nigerians must learn to respect one another’s rights.
“This country has witnessed too many human and material losses as a result of religious crisis and the only way to guard against a recurrence is for the authorities to strictly apply sanctions against those who violate the sanctity of religious freedom.
“ We appeal to the Inspector-General of Police, Malam Ibrahim Idris, to ensure that the masquerades who attacked the Catholic priest are duly punished.
“State and local governments must also ban illegal proclamation of curfews by cultists.’’
Akintola stressed that security agencies had a big role to play in this issue because cultists were getting more daring due to the “nonchalant attitude of security agents”.
The group stressed the need for security agents stop any illegally imposed curfew in the interest of law and order.