NIGERIA: Targeting of Igbo Muslims for elimination condemned, as another South East Islamic scholar, Iyiorji, is murdered

By OUR REPORTER

The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) Nigeria has sent out its words to authorities both of Nigeria and South East region to ensure, not only that the gunmen that killed Islamic scholar in Ebonyi State, Shaikh Ibrahim Iyiorji, in his home last Sunday September 4, 2022 is fished out but also, must be brought to justice.

In a statement titled, “Another Murder, Another Shaykh!!! We Demand for Justice”, signed by its Executive Chairman, Disu Kamor, sent to The DEFENDER on Wednesday, MPAC Nigeria, while condemning the gruesome murder of the Islamic scholar to the watch of some West-oriented religious leaders misinforming their foreign collaborators about killings in Nigeria, demanded for justice.

“Shaykh Ibrahim Iyiorji was attacked at his house in Isu, Onicha LGA of Ebonyi State, on Sunday night, 4th of September, 2022 by gunmen alleged to be members of the terrorist group IPOB, which has a track record of targeting Muslims in the South-Eastern region and attacking their places of worship.

“He was rushed to the Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki but eventually died yesterday, Monday 5th September, 2022,” it said.

Expressing the depth of its sadness, MPAC Nigeria pushed out some rhetoric questions that it expects only those with capacity to provide answer should do so and act without further delay.

“Who targeted and murdered Shaykh Ibrahim Iyiorji? What was his crime to die in such a gruesome situation- murdered in cold blood in front of his family members? Who are those specifically targeting the Muslims of the South-Eastern states, who are largely indigenous to the area and now currently under existential threat due to domestic acts of terrorism?”

It will be recalled that the only known killer agents causing insecurity and trying to push it either on members of a particularly other tribe or blame it on unknown gunmen are terrorist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Recently, as politics of 2023 began, these evil agents killed fellow Igbo man and craftily concocted a video to paint the murder like case of Fulani herdsmen luring their own customer into the bush for a kill until their deceit was exposed by the professionalism of Anambra State Police Command.

In some of the statements by Igbo Muslims before then, the warning by IPOB that Igbo Land is not meant to have Islam and Muslims as their security would not be guaranteed was raised and help sought, just at the time four Muslims of Igbo origin were picked for the slaughter from Okigwe market in Imo State. Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) screamed for justice over that.

In the latest MPAC statement, it said, “It will be remembered that MPAC has repeatedly called the attention of government, the law enforcement agencies and the good people of this region to the growing threats faced by Muslims in this region, the dangers posed to freedom of practice of Islam and attacks on mosques.

“Once again, the government, the law enforcement agencies and the human right groups need to do more to ensure that these tragic stories end with this unfortunate incident of the murder of Shaykh Iyiorji.

“As we mourn the death of the Shaykh, and commiserate with his family and immediate community, we call on the governments of the South-Eastern region of Nigeria to take responsibility for the lives and properties of the Muslims living in the region, and save them from incessant attacks by those determined to exterminate them and eradicate the practice of Islam in the region.

“We call on the Nigerian Government to act now to ensure that no Nigerian carries a price tag as a result of the religion he or she practices anywhere in Nigeria.

“Shaykh Ibrahim Iyiorji was murdered in his own house, and this is a murder too many. May Allah forgive Shaykh Ibrahim Iyiorji and accept him as a martyr.

Innah Lilahi Wa Innah Ilehi Rajihun” MPAC Nigeria said in the Disu Kamor’s statement.