The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Sokoto State Chapter, unequivocally condemns the recent knife attack carried out on Sheikh Musa Lukuwa in Sokoto State. We equally condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the subsequent mob action and alleged unlawful killing of the suspected attacker. While we recognise the seriousness of the circumstances surrounding the incident and the grave concerns raised by Sheikh Musa Lukuwa's recent public utterances, nothing whatsoever can justify jungle justice, mob violence, or the taking of human life outside the due process of law.

MURIC believes firmly in the supremacy of the law. No individual, regardless of the provocation involved, is entitled to assault, punish, or kill another person. Equally, no act of religious preaching, however controversial or provocative, should be met with violence or extrajudicial punishment.

MURIC Sokoto is in possession of video records relating to several recent statements attributed to Sheikh Musa Lukuwa. These materials raise serious concerns regarding the content, tone, and possible implications of some of his public preaching and pronouncements. Among the issues contained in the videos are statements in which Sheikh Lukuwa compared the concept of tawassul through the Noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW) with tawassul involving refuse dumps, a comparison which many Muslims consider deeply offensive and unacceptable, passionately and repeatedly advocated a minority theological position concerning the status of the parents of the Noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW), made statements suggesting an intention to destroy or demolish the tomb of Sheikh Usman Dan Fodiyo in Sokoto, used insulting and unprintable language against the Sultan of Sokoto and made statements concerning the Sokoto State judiciary and the Sokoto State Ministry of Justice which are capable of undermining public confidence in established institutions.

These are not matters that should be dismissed as ordinary theological disagreement or harmless freedom of expression. Religious freedom carries with it a corresponding responsibility to avoid incitement, insult, provocation, and statements capable of threatening public peace. MURIC condemns all forms of irresponsible, inflammatory, and provocative preaching, regardless of who engages in it or the religious school of thought to which such a person belongs.

MURIC is concerned that the present crisis could have been prevented or substantially reduced if the relevant security agencies and government authorities had acted proactively. Where an individual repeatedly makes controversial and provocative public statements capable of generating tension, threatening revered religious personalities, attacking traditional institutions, or undermining public confidence in government and the judiciary, the appropriate authorities have a responsibility to intervene within the law. At the very least, Sheikh Musa Lukuwa ought to have been invited by the relevant security agencies for clarification, counselling, and appropriate caution regarding the consequences of his preaching and public pronouncements. The failure of government and security agencies to act decisively and preventively in situations capable of generating communal tension may create an environment in which individuals resort to self-help.
However, we must make it absolutely clear that governmental failure to act does not confer upon any citizen the right to take the law into his own hands.

MURIC condemns jungle justice in all its forms. The sanctity of human life is inviolable, and no alleged offence, insult, theological disagreement, or provocation can justify an extrajudicial killing or causing grievous bodily harm to anybody. The proper response to offensive speech is lawful complaint, investigation, prosecution where appropriate, and judicial determination. It is not mob action, assault, or murder.

We therefore call upon the Sokoto State Government and all relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation into the knife attack on Sheikh Musa Lukuwa; investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged mob killing of the suspected attacker; identify, arrest, and prosecute all persons found to have participated in the mob action and unlawful killing; investigate the video recordings and public statements attributed to Sheikh Musa Lukuwa and determine whether any of them constitute offences under applicable Nigerian law and ensure that religious preaching and public expression are conducted responsibly and within the bounds of law, public order, and respect for the sanctity of revered religious and traditional institutions.
The law must operate equally against both provocation and violence.

We urge all religious leaders, scholars, traditional institutions, political actors, and members of the public to exercise restraint and avoid statements or actions capable of inflaming religious sentiments. Sokoto has a rich history of Islamic scholarship, tolerance, intellectual engagement, and respect for lawful authority. That heritage must not be destroyed by provocative preaching on one hand or mob violence on the other.

We call on the Sokoto State Government and security agencies to act immediately and decisively before the situation degenerates further.

ASA