Flowerbud News

Tag: Muslims

  • Kaduna: JNI Condemns mob killing of Ummulkhair, demands justice

    Kaduna: JNI Condemns mob killing of Ummulkhair, demands justice

     

     

    By Mohammad Tijjani

    Kaduna:  The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has strongly condemned the gruesome mob killing of a woman, Ummulkhair, at Mararaban Jos in Kaduna State, describing the incident as barbaric and ungodly.

    The organisation, under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto,  Sa’ad Abubakar, expressed shock and grief over the incident, saying it reflected the collapse of moral values, the spread of misinformation and the increasing resort to jungle justice.

    In a statement issued by the Secretary-General of JNI, Prof. Khalid  Aliyu, the organisation said the lynching represented one of the darkest manifestations of lawlessness, collective irresponsibility and moral degeneration threatening peace and stability in Nigeria.

    According to the statement, the reckless spread of misinformation, fake allegations and inciting narratives has become a dangerous weapon capable of leading innocent persons to humiliation, violence and death.

    “No society survives when emotions replace evidence and mob actions replace institutions of justice. Sadly, our society is dangerously drifting from civilisation toward barbarism, where anger has replaced reason and collective violence has become normalised,” the statement said.

    JNI extended its condolences to the family of the deceased, the Kaduna State Government, the Muslim community and all Nigerians affected by the tragedy.

    The organisation prayed for Allah’s mercy upon the deceased and for strength and fortitude for her family to bear the painful loss.

    It also warned against the increasing culture of mob action, instant judgement and extra-judicial punishment, stressing that Islam places a high premium on the sanctity of human life and prohibits the killing of innocent persons outside due legal process.

    JNI called for an immediate, transparent and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing and urged security agencies to ensure that all those directly or indirectly involved in the incident are identified and prosecuted.

    The organisation also demanded an investigation into allegations that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Mararaban Jos Division allegedly failed to protect the victim and surrendered her to the mob.

    According to JNI, if investigations establish negligence, misconduct or complicity by any security personnel, such officers should face the full consequences of the law.

    The group further called for the payment of compensation (Diyya) to the bereaved family and urged the Kaduna State Government to provide humanitarian assistance and long-term support to the deceased’s dependents.

    It specifically appealed to the government to take responsibility for the education and welfare of Ummulkhair’s children and provide psychological and emotional support to the family.

    JNI also urged Islamic scholars, Imams, community leaders and Muslim organisations across the country to intensify public enlightenment campaigns on the prohibition of mob action, the dangers of acting on rumours and the sanctity of human life.

    The organisation warned that when citizens resort to killing based on rumours, and mobs become “judge, jury and executioner,” society itself begins to collapse.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

  • ISSA- ONILU, ALIU, OTHERS TO DISCUSS POTENTIALS IN NIGERIA AT UNIFEMGA REUNION IN ILE IFE

     

    Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, the Director General of National Orientation Agency (NOA) is to deliver the 2026 annual reunion lecture of Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates Association (UNIFEMGA) in Ile-Ife, Osun State on Saturday May 9, 2026.

    The three-day event holds from Friday May 8 to Sunday May 10, and it will take place at the prestigious Oduduwa Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, a statement by Prof. Sirajudeen Obayopo Chairman, Planning Committee disclosed.

    In a statement by Prof. Sirajudeen Obayopo, Chairman of the Planning Committee, and Ibraheem Fagbenro, Public Relations Officer, stated that Issa-Onilu will speak on the theme of the Conference “The Potentials Within Nigeria”.

    This year’s conference, aims to bring together distinguished alumni, professionals, policymakers, and thought leaders to explore Nigeria’s untapped opportunities and chart a path towards sustainable national development.

    The statement added that the conference, promises a rich array of activities aimed at fostering intellectual discourse, networking, and community engagement.

    Obayopo said that the event will be chaired by Alhaji Abdulkabir Adisa Aliu, Managing Director/ CEO, Matrix Energy Ltd with Prof. Adebayo Simeon Bamire, the Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University as the Special Guest while Alhaji AbdulRafiu Ebiti , UNIFEMGA BOT Chairman as Chief Host.

    Other dignitaries expected at the Conference include Prof. Yusuf Olaolu Ali (SAN), Vice-Chancellors of University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Egbewole (SAN), Prof. Musa Aibinu of Summit University Offa and Prof. Akeem Lasisi of Federal University of Health Sciences (FUHSI), Ila Orangun, as well as Prof. Abubakar Sanusi, OAU Chief Imam, amongst others.

    Highlights of the conference include a Jumu’ah Service, followed by a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor of the Institution, the Ooni of Ife – Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi and a networking dinner featuring Unifemga Investors Forum 3.0 on Friday, May 8, to be hosted by Alhaji Rafiu Ebiti.

    Other slated events include the “UNIFEMGA INVESTORS’ FORUM,” modelled after the popular TV show “Dragons’ Den,” offering entrepreneurs a platform to pitch their businesses to potential investors. A panel session on the topic building a Value-Driven Enterprise in Nigeria will also be featured during the networking dinner event.

    The reunion activities will also include a welcome reception for all delegates, student picnic, presentation of scholarship grants, AGM, Students empowerment programme, keep-fit exercises, medical check up, and novelty matches among branches.

    The Annual Reunion Conference has become a flagship event for UNIFEMGA, fostering intellectual engagement, networking, and collective action among members and stakeholders.

    The 2026 edition will focus on identifying and harnessing Nigeria’s human, economic, and technological potential, with special emphasis on youth empowerment, innovation, and nation-building.

    Speaking ahead of the event, National President of UNIFEMGA, Alhaji Mohammed Buari, noted that “Nigeria is endowed with immense resources and talent. This conference is a call to action for all well-meaning Nigerians to look inward, collaborate and unlock the vast potential that lies within our nation.”

    With over 300 delegates, including those from the Diaspora, already registered, the 2026 National reunion conference promises to be a gathering of minds committed to progress and unity.

    (For media inquiries, sponsorship, and registration, please contact:
    Shakirat Rasheed
    +234 916 848 4980
    nunifemga@gmail.com)

  • Nigerian Muslim for Equity and Good Governance Condemns US-Israel Attack on Iran

    Nigerian Muslim for Equity and Good Governance Condemns US-Israel Attack on Iran

     

    By Flowerbudnews
    Nigeria Muslims for Equity and Good Governance condemns the needless US and Israel’s aggression against Iran during Ramadan, targeting Muslims worldwide.

    Their actions did not only violate the sanctity of the Holy Month, massacring innocent Muslims, disrupting worship and devotion across the region and hampering the observance of lesser Hajj in Saudi Arabia, showing total disregard for Islam and its adherents across the world.

    The US claims to seek Middle East peace but instead creates conflict. We demand the immediate halt to the aggression and the display of Islamophobia. Promotion of global peace and unity is what we seek

    Dialogue, not war, brings peace. The US-Israel war on Iran seems self-serving, ignoring the UN and the concerns of other countries of the world.

    We thank nations that have supported global peace by denying their airspace for attacks on innocent nation of Iran. Muslim countries must unite, following the teaching of global Islamic Brotherhood as mandated by the Qur’an.

    We urge the Arab Gulf and the Muslim nations across the globe to prioritize Allah’s love over worldly gains, stop the war and focus on Allah’s commandments.

    May Allah bless those adhere to the teaching and understanding of Islamic Brotherhood as ordained by the Qur’an and Hadith.

    NIMEGG
    SOUTHWEST

  • Opinion: Religious Rhetoric, Social Media and the Fragile Fabric of Nigeria

    Opinion: Religious Rhetoric, Social Media and the Fragile Fabric of Nigeria

     

    By Abanikanda Olumoro (UK)

    Nigeria’s public space is becoming increasingly volatile, and much of that volatility is being fueled online. In recent days, I came across comments by social media commentators, including Godwin Onoghokere and others, describing a letter from the Muslim Youth Council of Nigeria as “violence” rather than peaceful advocacy. The letter reportedly demanded respect for Islamic religious sensitivities following remarks attributed to a local government chairman in Nasarawa State.

    What concerns me is not disagreement itself—debate is healthy in any democracy—but the speed with which religious expression is branded as extremism. When Muslims assert that their faith, including adherence to Shari’ah, is inseparable from their identity, it is immediately framed in some quarters as a threat to national coexistence. Yet millions of Nigerian Muslims understand Shari’ah primarily as a moral and spiritual guide, not as an instrument of aggression.

    The controversy surrounding the Doma local government chairman’s comment—said to have been retracted with an apology—should have ended with dialogue and mutual understanding. Instead, it became another flashpoint online, with sweeping claims that Islam in Nigeria is inherently violent. Such generalizations deepen suspicion and reinforce harmful stereotypes.

    Nigeria’s strength lies in its diversity. Christians, Muslims and adherents of other faiths have lived side by side for generations. It is unfair and counterproductive to judge an entire religious community by the actions of a few or by unverified social media narratives. Viral videos and emotionally charged posts often circulate without context, yet they shape public perception in powerful ways.

    The larger issue is how online discourse amplifies division. Social media platforms have become battlegrounds where complex religious and political questions are reduced to inflammatory soundbites. When that happens, nuance disappears and fear takes its place.

    This tension is not occurring in isolation. Nigeria continues to grapple with insecurity in parts of the North-West and North-East, as well as separatist agitations in the South-East. Groups such as the Indigenous People of Biafra have drawn both local and international attention. At the same time, debates around engagement with armed groups have placed figures like Sheikh Ahmad Gumi in the spotlight, with sharply divided public opinion about his approach. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has previously cautioned against simplistic narratives when addressing complex security challenges.

    In this fragile climate, political leadership matters. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu carries the constitutional responsibility of safeguarding national unity and ensuring that no community feels targeted or marginalized. That responsibility includes discouraging rhetoric—online or offline—that frames religious identity as inherently dangerous.

    This is not a call to silence criticism. It is a call for responsibility. Freedom of expression must not become freedom to inflame. Nigeria’s history shows that careless words can have lasting consequences.

    If we allow social media to devolve into a space where faith communities are routinely portrayed as threats, we risk normalizing hostility. And once hostility becomes normal, peace becomes fragile.

    Nigeria deserves better. Its citizens—Muslim, Christian and others—deserve a public conversation grounded in fairness, evidence and mutual respect. Only then can the country move beyond suspicion toward genuine coexistence.

  • Supreme Court dismisses Rivers appeal, affirms Muslim students’ right to worship on campus

    Supreme Court dismisses Rivers appeal, affirms Muslim students’ right to worship on campus

     

     

    The Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal by the authorities of Rivers State University (RSU), affirming the right of Muslim students to worship on the campus.

    This brings to a close a dispute that began in 2012 over the right of Muslim students to observe prayers and establish a place of worship on the university’s Nkpolu Oroworukwo campus.

    The unanimous decision affirmed earlier rulings that the students are entitled to worship freely and to be allocated a designated space within the campus.

    The case originated in 2012 when Muslim students alleged that university authorities had restricted their ability to conduct prayers and erect structures associated with Islamic worship.

    In Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/150/2012, filed at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, the claimants, led by Umaru Wazuru and 98 others, challenged the actions of the then Vice Chancellor of RSU and the Attorney General of Rivers State.

    Represented by solicitors from the law firm of Oloriegbe & Co., the students sought declaratory reliefs, arguing that the restrictions were unconstitutional and discriminatory.

    Among other orders, they requested that the university allocates a parcel of land for Muslim students to worship.

    They said this would be similar to facilities available to Christian groups on campus.

    In a judgment delivered on February 19, 2013, the Federal High Court ruled in favour of the students, holding that prohibiting Muslim students from establishing a place of worship while churches existed on campus violated the constitutional guarantees of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.

    The court also rejected the university’s argument that a mosque was not included in the institution’s original master plan, describing the reasoning as inconsistent with constitutional protections.

    The university appealed the ruling to the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, in Appeal No. CA/PH/614/2015.

    On March 31, 2017, the appellate court unanimously dismissed the appeal for lacking merit and affirmed the decision of the Federal High Court.

    A further appeal was subsequently filed at the Supreme Court in suit No. SC/055/2018.

    The matter came up for hearing on February 10, 2026 when the apex court unanimously dismissed the appeal, effectively ending the litigation.

    By operation of law, the judgments of the lower courts recognising the students’ right to worship within the university and to be allocated a suitable place for that purpose, remain binding on the parties.

    Under Nigerian constitutional jurisprudence, decisions of the Supreme Court are final and binding on all authorities and persons.

    Legal analysts note that failure to comply with subsisting court orders may expose public officials and institutional authorities to contempt proceedings, which can attract sanctions, including imprisonment.

  • Christian Genocide: 210 Muslims massacred in one day — MURIC

    Christian Genocide: 210 Muslims massacred in one day — MURIC

     

    Sequel to the massacre of about 210 Muslims in Kwara and Katsina States on February 4, 2026, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused promoters of the Christian genocide narrative of being bad judges and Satanic referees for closing their eyes on the killing of large numbers of Muslims while concentrating on what happened to Christians only.

    The accusation by MURIC was contained in a statement issued by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Thursday.

    Akintola said: “About 175 Muslims were massacred in Woro town, Kwara State while another 35 Muslims were mercilessly shot and killed on Tuesday, 3rd February, 2026 in Doma village, Faskari Local Government, Ruwangodiya Constituency in the Northern part of Katsina State (https://www.straitstimes.com/world/gunmen-kill-nearly-200-in-nigerias-kwara-and-katsina-attacks).

    “We are appalled by these senseless killings. We demand full protection for Nigerians of all faiths and ethnicities. Every Nigerian deserves Allah-given fundamental human right to life.

    “Section 14(2)(b), Chapter II of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria says: ‘The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.’ But Nigerian citizens are no longer safe. The killing of a single Nigerian is condemnable but what do we say when 210 citizens are massacred? This is one killing too many.

    “We therefore call on the Federal Government (FG) to protect all its citizens, including Muslims, Christians and traditionalists. We will not be parochial like those who ignore the killing of Muslims and are calling for the protection of Christians alone. Every life matters to us. Every Nigerian should be protected no matter the faith.

    “This is where America’s vow and its recurring refrain ‘to protect Christians’ alone in Nigeria assaults the psyche of the whole of humanity. It is petty, arrogant and disproportionately militant. America would have won the heart of the global community if it had declared an intention to stop indiscriminate killings in Nigeria but alas it came ‘guns ablazing’ to protect Christians only. This makes any American boot on ground in Nigeria a Christian Army with all its implications.

    “The latest massacre involving an astounding number of 210 Muslims has made a mince meat of the lopsided and malicious narratives of Christian genocide, particularly Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan’s legal brief, Rev. Ezekiel Bwede Dachomo’s superfluous dramatisation, the hysterical and hypocritical tirade from Christian leaders of North Central Nigeria and the Nigerian media hype of same.

    “At the risk of sounding judgemental, all the above may be seen as bad judges and Satanic referees for closing their eyes on the killing of large numbers of Muslims while concentrating on what happened to Christians only.

    “Now we must ask them all: is it still Christians alone who are being killed? We may also ask America, ‘Is it Christian lives alone that matter? Are Muslims, Buddhists, Confucians, etc not homo sapiens? Won’t the world as a whole be a safer place if all human beings are protected regardless of faith, race or colour?”

  • Attacks on Muslim worshippers in Nigeria; A chronicle

     

    Despite global outrage over attacks on Christians, PRNigeria reports a disturbing pattern of mosque-targeted violence against Muslims in Nigeria has received far less attention, even as hundreds have been killed in places of worship.

    This report highlights the scale of atrocities committed from 2009 to 2025 against Muslims , which demands equal global condemnation.

    While US President Donald Trump threatened military action against Nigeria over alleged “Christian genocide”, the reality on the ground reveals a broader and more complex crisis.

    Muslim communities, particularly in northern Nigeria, have suffered relentless attacks inside mosques and during religious gatherings—often at the hands of the same terrorist groups blamed for Christian-targeted violence.

    From 2013 to 2025, Boko Haram, ISWAP, and armed bandits have repeatedly targeted Muslim worshippers during sacred moments of prayer.

    Below is a timeline of some of the most heinous incidents:

    August 11, 2013 – Konduga, Borno State: Boko Haram gunmen massacred 44 to 46 worshippers during Fajr prayers at the Central Mosque. Over 30 were injured in what was the group’s first large-scale mosque attack.

    November 3-4, 2014 – Potiskum, Yobe State: A suicide bomber targeted a Shia Ashura procession, killing 15 and injuring 50.

    November 28, 2014 – Kano City, Kano State: Triple bomb blasts and gunfire at the Central Mosque during Friday prayers killed at least 81 (witnesses say over 200) and injured over 100.

    July 17, 2015 – Damaturu, Yobe State: Suicide bombers, including a 10-year-old girl, attacked Eid al-Fitr prayers, killing up to 50.

    October 15, 2015 – Maiduguri, Borno State: Twin suicide bombings during evening prayers killed 42.

    November 27, 2015 – Dakasoye, Kano State: A suicide bomber struck a Shia Arba’een procession, killing 21.

    March 16, 2016 – Molai-Umarari, Borno State: Two female bombers killed 24 worshippers during dawn prayers.

    January 16, 2017 – Maiduguri, Borno State: A 12-year-old girl bombed a university mosque, killing four and injuring 15.

    November 21, 2017 – Mubi, Adamawa State: A teenage bomber killed 50 in the Madina Mosque.

    May 1, 2018 – Mubi, Adamawa State: Twin mosque bombings killed 27 and injured 56.

    July 23, 2018 – Konduga, Borno State: A suicide bomber killed 11 during early morning prayers.

    July 27, 2019 – Nganzai, Borno State: Boko Haram ambushed mourners, killing 65.

    October 25, 2021 – Mazakuka, Niger State: Bandits killed 18 worshippers and the imam during Fajr prayers.

    October 5, 2021 – Yasore, Katsina State: Bandits shot 10 worshippers during Maghrib prayers.

    November 5, 2023 – Funtua, Katsina State: Armed men attacked a Maulud celebration, killing 20 and abducting others.

    August 19, 2025 – Unguwan Mantau, Katsina State: Bandits killed 27 during dawn prayers.

    February and June 2025 – Zamfara and Borno States: Bandits kidnapped an imam and 30 others; ISWAP launched fresh attacks.

    Trump’s threat to invade Nigeria over Christian killings has sparked debate about selective international concern. While Christian communities have undeniably suffered, Muslim worshippers have also been systematically targeted in their sacred spaces. The Nigerian government insists that violence affects all faiths and regions.

    PRNigeria condemns all forms of religious violence—against Christians, Muslims, and others. Every life lost in a house of worship is a tragedy that demands justice, not selective empathy.

    Let the world speak with one voice: No faith deserves to be hunted in prayer.

    PRNigeria.

  • MUSWEN condemns masquerade invasion of mosque in Ondo State , calls for justice

    MUSWEN condemns masquerade invasion of mosque in Ondo State , calls for justice

     

    The Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) has called on the Ondo State Government and security agencies to arrest and punish those responsible for the masquerade invasion of an Imam’s House and Mosque in Oke Agbe, Akoko, Ondo State.

    MUSWEN made the call in a press statement on Monday.

    In the statement, jointly signed by Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, President and Professor Muslih ‘Tayo Yahya, Executive Secretary/CEO, MUSWEN said “Such acts, if left unaddressed, risk escalating communal tensions and eroding the harmony that Ondo State is known for.”

    The statement, titled “MUSWEN Calls for Investigation and Justice in Masquerade Invasion of Imam’s House and Mosque in Oke Agbe, Akoko, Ondo State”, reads in full:

    “The Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) strongly condemns the reported invasion of the residence of an Imam and a mosque in Oke Agbe, Akoko, Akoko North Local Government Area of Ondo State, by individuals allegedly associated with a masquerade festival.

    “This unacceptable act of sacrilege and violation of the sanctity of a place of worship and the privacy of a religious leader’s home is deeply troubling and undermines the principles of peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and religious tolerance that our society upholds.

    “We call on the Ondo State Government to immediately launch a thorough investigation into this incident to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the invasion, identify the culprits, and ensure they face the full weight of the law.

    “Such acts, if left unaddressed, risk escalating communal tensions and eroding the harmony that Ondo State is known for.We urge the relevant authorities, including the police and local government officials, to act swiftly and impartially to bring the perpetrators to justice and prevent future occurrences.

    “MUSWEN also appeals to all stakeholders—traditional, religious, and community leaders—to promote dialogue and mutual understanding to foster peace in Oke Agbe and beyond.

    “We stand in solidarity with the Muslim community in Oke Agbe and reaffirm our commitment to advocating for justice, religious harmony, and respect for all faiths.

    “We call on all citizens to uphold the values of tolerance and unity, which are essential for the progress of our society.”

  • MUSWEN mourns Chief Lamidi Ajadi

    MUSWEN mourns Chief Lamidi Ajadi

     

    The Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) has joined in mourning the passage of Chief Lamidi Ajadi, a Muslim leader in Ibadan, and the Baba Adini of Oyo State.

    Alhaji Lamidi Ajadi died on Tuesday June 10,2025.

    MUSWEN in a condolence message jointly signed by its President, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, and the Executive Secretary/CEO Professor Muslih ‘Tayo Yahya, described him as a beacon of integrity, a devoted Muslim, and a passionate advocate for peace and harmony. It also prayed for the repose of his soul.

    The organisation said “The Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) mourns the passing of Chief Lamidi Ajadi, a highly respected elder and prominent figure in the Muslim community of Ibadan and its environs.

    It added that “His passing is a great loss not only to his family and the Muslim community but to the entire society, which benefited immensely from his wisdom, leadership, generosity and unwavering commitment to unity and progress.”

    MUSWEN noted that “Chief Ajadi was a beacon of integrity, a devoted Muslim, and a passionate advocate for peace and harmony. His exemplary life, marked by selfless service, generosity, and dedication to the advancement of Islamic values, will continue to inspire generations.

    It said that “His contributions to the growth of the Muslim community in Ibadan, Oyo State, the South West Nigeria and beyond remain indelible, and his legacy will forever be cherished.”

    “MUSWEN extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of Chief Ajadi; the Chairman, Ibadan Muslim Community, Chief Bayo Oyero; the Muslim Community of Oyo State and all others touched by his remarkable life.

    “We pray that Almighty Allah (SWT) forgives his shortcomings, grants him Al-Jannah Firdaus, and gives his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”