MURIC calls for clear separation from AMURIC over public misidentification

Michael Olumide

Muslim Rights Concern, popularly known as MURIC, has distanced itself from a controversial statement jointly issued with a Fulani group, clarifying that the statement originated from another Islamic organisation known as the Amalgamated Muslim Rights Concern (AMURIC), and not MURIC.

In a press statement signed by the Secretary of the Oyo State chapter of MURIC, Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, the organisation said it became necessary to set the record straight following widespread confusion arising from the similarity between the names of the two groups.

According to the statement, AMURIC was responsible for issuing the joint statement with a Fulani group on Friday, June 5, 2026, stressing that MURIC neither participated in nor endorsed the position expressed in the release.

MURIC acknowledged that AMURIC is a sister Islamic organisation comprising respected Muslim men and women, but advised its leadership to adopt a more distinct name to avoid misleading the public and creating unnecessary confusion over the origin of public statements.

The organisation explained that changing its own name would be impractical, noting that MURIC has operated under the same identity since its establishment in 1994 and that the name was duly registered with the relevant Nigerian authorities.

Beyond the issue of identity, MURIC also expressed disagreement with aspects of the statement issued by AMURIC.

Specifically, the organisation said it saw no justification for mentioning prominent Yoruba figures such as Sunday Igboho, Ayodele Fayose and Seyi Makinde in the context of the security discussion.

MURIC reaffirmed its belief that every ethnic group in Nigeria, including the Yoruba, possesses the constitutional and inalienable right to defend itself against banditry and terrorism within the framework of the law.

It added that Yoruba leaders are justified in mobilising their communities to protect lives and property against criminal elements.

The organisation further maintained that bandits operating in the South-West should be confronted decisively by both conventional security agencies and recognised community-based security outfits, including the Amotekun, the Oodua People’s Congress and Iru Ekun, among other local vigilante groups.

Reiterating its position, MURIC stressed that it had no involvement whatsoever in the statement jointly issued by AMURIC and the Fulani group, urging members of the public and the media to clearly distinguish between the two organisations to prevent future cases of mistaken identity.

The group concluded that its clarification was necessary to protect its longstanding reputation and ensure that its official positions are not confused with those of another organisation bearing a similar name.