After failure of Christian genocide campaign, suspected IPOB member threatens killing of Igbo Muslims, MURIC raises alarm

*Wants Mazi Kanayo arrested

By KEMI KASUMU

MURIC alleged that Kanayo’s statements are criminal, inflammatory, and capable of triggering large-scale violence against Muslims in a region already strained by insecurity and prolonged sit-at-home orders enforced by non-state actors.

As what critics describe as a failed propaganda campaign alleging a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria—previously attributed to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)—loses traction, a new and more alarming campaign has reportedly emerged.

Just as the IPOB, a group designated as a terrorist organisation in South East Nigeria, is now accused of promoting rhetoric that openly incites violence within the region, a latest campaign that no longer focuses on appealing to foreign powers over alleged Christian genocide or persecution has emerged but instead, this time, involves calls targeting Igbo Muslims.

The statements in question are alleged to encourage acts of violence against fellow indigenous members of the South Eastern Nigeria, who are Muslims, and inciting that they should be kidnapped and buried alive.

Reacting to the development, a faith-based human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has demanded the arrest and prosecution of a individual suspected to be IOOB member, identified as Maazi Kanayo, an Igbo Nigerian, whose voice is said to champion the incitement against indigenous Igbo Muslims.

Although IPOB was not mentioned in the statement, MURIC alleged that Kanayo’s statements are criminal, inflammatory, and capable of triggering large-scale violence against Muslims in a region already strained by insecurity and prolonged sit-at-home orders enforced by non-state actors.

The call was made in a statement issued on Wednesday, 31 December 2025, by MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, and copy of which sent to The DEFENDER.

According to the statement, MURIC claims to be in possession of a viral audio recording attributed to Maazi Kanayo, in which he allegedly urges attacks against Igbo Muslims.

The organisation described the message as a direct threat to the safety and coexistence of communities in the South East.

The statement further alleged that the remarks singled out Igbo Muslims residing in Enugu, Ebonyi, and Imo states, warning that such rhetoric poses a serious risk to national security at a time when Nigeria is grappling with widespread insecurity.

MURIC noted that many Igbo Muslims occupy respected positions within their communities, including traditional leadership roles, and warned that targeting them could lead to severe communal unrest in the region.

Consequently, the organisation called on security agencies—particularly the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force—to act swiftly by arresting, investigating, and prosecuting the individual involved, stressing that urgent action is necessary to prevent further escalation and protect lives.

The statement read, “‎We are in possession of a viral video clip in which the audio message of one Maazi Kanayo was aired. In the audio, Maazi Kanayo incited the Igbo people of South Eastern Nigeria to kidnap Igbo Muslims and bury them alive (https://vm.tiktok.com/ZSHERCgnkQAaJ-qwbJx/ This post is shared via TikTok Lite. Download TikTok Lite to enjoy more posts: https://www.tiktok.com/tiktoklite

‎”Igbo Muslims are being threatened with death for embracing Islam: how can we rise to their aid?

“Maazi Kanayo specifically directed his potential kidnappers and killers to target Muslims of Igbo extraction living in Enugu, Ebonyi and Imo States. This is the last thing Nigeria needs at a time when the whole country faces serious insecurity.

‎‎”This is an extremely dangerous dimension as the audio puts the lives of thousands of Igbo Muslims on the line. Some Igbo Muslims are traditional rulers in their communities and this implies the likelihood of communal turbulence in the South East.

“MURIC therefore calls on the security agencies, particularly men of the Department of State services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police to arrest, detain and prosecute Maazi Kanayo. Every minute counts as the lives of thousands of people hang in the balance,” MURIC said.