The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), a leading Islamic human rights organization, has echoed the concerns raised by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State and Governor Caleb Muftwang of Plateau State over the deteriorating security situation in Northern Nigeria. MURIC is calling on the Nigerian military to reassess and strengthen its strategies to combat the resurgence of Boko Haram in the North East and to curb the growing influence of bandits in the North Central region.
This call was made in a statement released on Monday, 14th April, 2025, by the Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
According to the statement:
“The governor of Borno State, Babagana Umara Zulum, raised an alarm on Tuesday, 8th April, 2025 that Boko Haram insurgents have taken over two local government councils (https://thenationonlineng.net/zulum-laments-boko-haram-resurgence/).
“Within one week of Zulum’s alarm, an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), planted by Boko Haram terrorists on the deserted road which passes through the Sambisa forest, exploded killing eight people and injuring 21 others.
“The sad incident occurred on Saturday, 12th April, 2025 while cars on a scheduled military-escorted convoy were transporting passengers from Damboa to Maiduguri (https://www.premiumtimesng.com/regional/nnorth-east/787515-boko-haram-seven-passengers-feared-killed-in-road-explosion.html).
“Interestingly, Zulum’s counterpart in Plateau State, Caleb Muftwang, has complained that bandits have taken over 64 communities in his state (https://www.channelstv.com/2025/04/08/bandits-have-taken-over-64-communities-in-plateau-gov-muftwang/).
“MURIC laments the worsening security situation in the North. We remind the Federal Government (FG) of the provisions of Article 14 Section 2(b) of the1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which says, ‘the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government’.
“As the Commander-In-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, we therefore call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to prove to Nigerians that he is capable of leading them to victory against the forces of evil and retrogression. The place to start is Borno. We have no scintilla of doubt that the presence of Tinubu in army fatigue in Damboa will create sensation in Borno trenches.
“Nigeria’s security agencies, especially the army, must turn the heat on Boko Haram and bandits, particularly in Borno and Plateau States. We charge the military to review its tactics in order to stem Boko Haram resurgence in the North East and halt the spread of bandits’ tentacles in North Central Nigeria. Our people deserve to sleep with both eyes closed.”
