The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), a prominent Islamic human rights advocacy group, has alerted the Lagos State Police Command and other security agencies regarding a Christian woman seen wearing the Muslim hijab while preaching Christianity on the streets and inside commercial buses in Lagos.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, 9th July, 2025, by the Executive Director of the organization, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC described the act as “provocative and deceptive,” and called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the individual for impersonation and conduct likely to breach public peace.
According to Professor Akintola:
“We have obtained three separate video clips showing the same woman dressed in a hijab, actively preaching the Christian faith. In the first video, she is standing on a street in Lagos, urging passersby to accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. In the second clip, she is seen delivering a Christian sermon inside a commercial bus, again while wearing a hijab. The third video captures her after she finishes preaching, removing the hijab to reveal a regular scarf beneath it.”
A co-passenger in one of the videos reportedly questioned her on why she was wearing a hijab while preaching Christianity. Her response was that she was following a “voice” she heard instructing her to do so.
“We strongly condemn this behavior. It is misleading, disturbing, and highly provocative. Her actions are not only deceptive but also a potential threat to public order. Presenting herself as a Muslim to proselytize Christianity is an act of impersonation and false pretense,” Professor Akintola stated.
“Such conduct can inflame tensions and incite religious unrest. She appears to be deliberately targeting Muslims through deceptive methods, which is both unethical and illegal. If prosecuted, the evidence we possess will make it difficult for her to defend her actions.”
MURIC further urged the Lagos State Police Command and the Department of State Services (DSS) to act swiftly in locating and prosecuting the woman before her actions escalate tensions or incite a crisis.
“Lagos has enjoyed decades of religious peace and tolerance due to the diligence of its security agencies and the cooperative efforts of religious leaders. This delicate balance must be preserved at all costs,” the statement read.
The organization also appealed to Christian leaders and the Lagos State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to caution their members against religious extremism and provocative methods of evangelism.
“The increasing frequency of unsolicited and loud preaching, especially during early morning hours and inside commercial vehicles, is becoming a public disturbance. These actions reflect religious overzealousness and panic, not conviction,” MURIC noted.
In conclusion, MURIC advised all Muslims who may come across the woman to remain calm and report the matter to the nearest police station.
“We must not take the law into our hands. As Muslims, we are ambassadors of Islam and must act with dignity and restraint. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught us: ‘Exercise patience at the moment of the first shock.’ (As-Sabr ‘inda as-Sadmatil-Uula),” the statement concluded.
