The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused the Nigeria Police of employing double standards in their response to recent stampedes that resulted in fatalities in Ibadan, Abuja, and Anambra.
In a statement by its Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, the group demanded the immediate release of those detained in connection with the Ibadan incident or the arrest of organizers responsible for similar tragedies in Abuja and Anambra.
The stampedes, which occurred during separate public events, led to significant loss of life.
Thirty-five children died in a stampede last Wednesday at a funfair organized at Bashorun Islamic High School, Ibadan.
On Saturday, another stampede during a palliative distribution at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja, left 10 people dead.
Similarly, at least 20 residents lost their lives during a rice distribution event in Okija, Anambra State.
In the Ibadan case, the Oyo State Police Command detained Queen Naomi Silekunola, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife; Abdullahi Fasasi, the principal of Bashorun Islamic High School; and Oriyomi Hamzat, the proprietor of Agidigbo FM.
On Tuesday, the Iyaganku Chief Magistrate Court in Ibadan ordered their remand at Agodi Correctional Centre.
However, no arrests have been reported for the Abuja and Anambra incidents, a situation MURIC described as “selective justice.”
Prof. Akintola criticized the disparity in police action, stating: “It is unacceptable that only the organizers of the Ibadan event are being prosecuted, while those responsible for similar tragedies in Abuja and Okija remain untouched.”
He also questioned the arrest of the school principal, noting that the school’s alumni had confirmed that the venue was approved by the Oyo State Ministry of Education.
Prof. Akintola further pointed out that neither the Obi Jackson Foundation, organizers of the Okija event, nor the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Abuja have faced any consequences.
MURIC called on the Oyo State Police Command to release the Ibadan detainees and urged the state government to conduct an independent investigation.
The group also appealed to the Nigeria Police to ensure a fair and consistent approach in addressing these incidents.
“The tragedies in Ibadan, Abuja, and Okija deserve equal treatment. Justice must be seen to be fair and impartial. Arrest the Abuja and Okija organizers or release those detained in Ibadan,” Akintola added.
MURIC emphasized that the victims of the tragedies deserve justice and urged authorities to act decisively and uniformly.
