By Prof Ishaq Akintola

‎A faith-based human rights organization, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has warned Nigeria’s security agencies to avoid rights abuses. This was sequel to the failed attempt by men of the Department of State Security (DSS) to arrest Mallam Nasir El-Rufai at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja yesterday.

‎‎In a statement made available to newsmen by the rights advocacy group on Friday, 13th February, 2026, MURIC specifically warned against giving America another excuse to intervene in the governance of Nigeria by creating a scenario of political victimisation and human rights abuses. The statement was signed by the group’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

‎‎The statement continued:

‎‎”Men of the Department of State Security (DSS) attempted to arrest Mallam Nasir El-Rufai at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, yesterday. However, a large crowd of supporters who thronged the airport to welcome the former governor made it impossible.

‎‎”MURIC strongly denounces the manner the operation was conducted. It was rowdy, disorderly and melodramatic. The airport scene lacked decorum. It was crude and blown out of proportion.

“Ditto for the snatching of El-Rufai’s international passport from his aide carried out a la Gestapo. This is absolutely unnecessary particularly for a public figure who has made no attempt to run away. He was returning to the country, not going outside Nigeria.

‎‎”Moreso since the former governor had allegedly given his word that he would report at the office of the security agencies. By the way, he would not have voluntarily returned to Nigeria if he had the intention of running away. So why the higgledy-piggledy?

‎‎”What happened at the airport yesterday was a violation of El-Rufai’s right to self-dignity as guaranteed in Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). It was an undisguised and unconstitutional attempt at public humiliation. It was most uncivilized, inhuman and degrading.

‎‎”It must be mentioned that Section 41 of the same Constitution guarantees freedom of movement in and out of the country and also within for every Nigerian citizen. The last time we checked, El-Rufai was still a Nigerian citizen.

“The desperation exhibited to arrest El-Rufai yesterday raised more questions than answers. Why are most politicians invited by EFCC from the opposition camp? Why does EFCC appear to have conveniently forgotten the sins of politicians who once had cases relating to financial misdemeanor once they belong to the ruling party?

“Is there a nexus between this and the statement allegedly made by a former chairman of the ruling party: ‘Once you join APC, all your sins are forgiven’? Was that statement intended to be a metaphor or a matter of fact?

‎‎”Nigeria is not alone. The world is watching. It is now a global village. We call on the ruling class to mind how they treat the opposition. America has already intervened militarily in the affairs of Nigeria. The same America should not be given another excuse on a platter of gold to intervene in the governance of this country. This may appear so if we create a scenario of political victimisation and human rights abuses.

‎‎”We need to note that intimidation of opposition members and human rights abuses was the main cassus belli given by the US to invade Venezuela. America is already here at the invitation of Christian hot gospellers. They do not need to invade. Neither do they need another invitation. America already has the noun ‘invitation’. It is only waiting for the verb ‘take over’.

Muslim Rights Concern is a prominent Islamic human rights advocacy group in Nigeria. Founded by Professor Ishaq Akintola, the organization focuses on protecting the rights of Muslims, addressing alleged discrimination, and promoting Islamic interests in the country’s public sphere. 

‎Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC).