The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
has revealed that the Borno State Government actually demolished 11 mosques and
four churches.
The revelation by MURIC is
contrary to claims that only churches were demolished by the state government.
MURIC made its findings known to
journalists in a statement signed by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
He said, “Contrary to a coordinated propaganda over the demolition of an EYN church in Maiduguri, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) can authoritatively report that the Borno State Geographic Information Systems (BOGIS) created by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, actually demolished 11 mosques and four churches, in the metropolis. The exercise began from 29th May, 2019 up till last week,” the statement said.
“A team of investigators working with MURIC
visited each of the sites where the mosques were demolished, interviewed
residents and gathered photographs and data that showed locations of each of
the 11 mosques and dates of their demolition by officials of Borno State
Government for violation of purpose approved in residential titles, which was
in compliance with a 2010 Government White paper in response to the 2009 Boko
Haram insurgency, which strictly prohibited the conversion of any residential
house to a place of worship, in all parts of Borno State.
“Findings showed that two mosques
were demolished by BOGIS on 11th March, 2020, around Fato Sandi, behind works
department in Maiduguri, not far from the Shehu of Borno’s palace, who is next
to the Sultan in the hierarchy of Nigeria’s leadership of the Muslim community.
The Shehu is the Vice President of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic
Affairs (NSCIA)
“Two mosques were again
demolished by BOGIS on the same day (March 11, 2020), at old Musami complex
along Jos road in Maiduguri. Again, a mosque was demolished on the same day
opposite former NITEL. Another mosque was demolished on April 15, 2020 along
Kano Road, adjoining Bulumkutu, Yola Electricity Distribution Company, YEDC.
Two mosques were again demolished, one near a hotel in Galadima and another
near behind Timber shade, in Baga Road.
“Our investigators further
discovered that five other mosques conspicuously located at the Customs
round-about in the western part of Maiduguri-Bama road were also demolished by
BOGIS on 23rd January, 2020, for what the government called ‘overriding public
interest’.
“All the 11 mosques were
demolished either for violating residential purposes in their allocation titles
or for overriding public interest. Of the 11 mosques demolished, five were for
overriding public interest and six for violations of residential titles whereas
all the four churches demolished (including the EYN) were strictly demolished
for converting residential houses to churches, the same way six mosques were
demolished. The measures were in compliance with a 2010 white paper which is
against illegal places of worship as measures of regulation.
“We are nonplussed by the immense
false propaganda flying around on this issue and we invite anyone who is
genuinely in search of the truth to also do his or her findings. We advise
armchair critics to be more enterprising. A single phone call to a friend or
acquaintance in Maiduguri will debunk all the noise.
“For the first time in
‘geography’, Nigerians are blessed with an uncommon governor making things work
in an uncommon way. Governor Babagana Umara Zulum may not have come from Mars,
but his handiwork appears alien. It is satanic to attempt to bring down this
wonderful performer via religious blackmail. Leave Governor Zulum alone. Allow
him to concentrate on his good work.”
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