The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has raised alarm over what it describes as a deliberate sidelining of Muslim voices in the ongoing national debate surrounding allegations of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the organisation’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, criticised both print and broadcast media for excluding Islamic scholars and Muslim representatives from conversations dominating public discourse. According to him, the narrative being projected is “one-sided, unprofessional, and dangerously incomplete.”
Akintola argued that Muslims are being framed without being given the right of reply, saying many media houses have “drifted away from balance, fairness, and professionalism.”
“The Muslims are being framed. Worse still, they are gagged by the press. They are voiceless, oppressed and repressed… The question on our lips is: when will the media hear from the Muslims?” he stated.
‘Imaginary Genocide’ Debate Sparks Tension
MURIC referenced its recent publication titled “Christian Genocide: When Will the Press Hear From the Muslims?” where it accused newsrooms of granting Christian clerics “unlimited access” to make allegations without offering Muslims from affected communities a chance to respond.
The group cited a 10 November interview featuring Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo on News Central TV. While the cleric repeated claims of Christian-targeted killings, Akintola said the programme failed to invite any Muslim scholar from the same community to present a counter perspective.
According to MURIC, Muslims in Dachomo’s locality—under the Mangu Concerned Muslim Consultative Forum—have already refuted those claims. They argue instead that Muslims in parts of the North Central have faced “systematic genocide” for over two decades but receive far less media attention.
Muslims Also Victims, MURIC Insists
Akintola stressed that Muslims in regions repeatedly hit by terrorism—such as Sokoto, Borno, Zamfara, Yobe, and parts of Katsina—are also victims whose suffering is often overshadowed in national reports.
“At least the whole world knows that those being killed by terrorists in Sokoto, Borno, Katsina, Zamfara, Kano, Kebbi, Yobe, etc., are Muslims,” he said, accusing media organisations of “programming Nigerians to hate Muslims” through selective reporting.
The group warned that biased coverage could fuel division and lead to unrest. “Incitement can lead to riots,” Akintola cautioned, urging media houses to adopt conflict-sensitive reporting.
Call for Regulation and Balanced Coverage
MURIC called on regulatory bodies—including the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the Nigerian Press Council, and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria—to intervene and enforce standards that guarantee fairness, balance, and responsible journalism.
The organisation insisted that without Muslim voices at the table, the ongoing national debate cannot claim legitimacy. “We demand to know when Muslims will be given a place at the table,” Akintola said.
Background: U.S. Designation Intensifies Debate
This controversy follows the October 31, 2025 designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” by U.S. President Donald Trump over alleged religious freedom violations. The move reignited nationwide arguments over worsening attacks on Christian communities and the Christian Association of Nigeria’s long-standing claim that a “genocide” against Christians is underway.
With accusations and counter-accusations mounting, MURIC’s intervention underscores growing tension around how the Nigerian media frames religious conflict—raising questions about representation, responsibility, and the role of the press in a fragile national atmosphere.