In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

(Lagos, Thursday, 31/07/2025) The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), Nigeria, strongly condemns the recent assault on a Muslim Imam in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, by a masquerader known as Lobanika, who, with brazen disregard for civil norms and individual rights, struck off the Imam’s cap in public. This assault occurred despite the Imam maintaining a calm and respectful posture as the procession passed, taking no action that could be deemed provocative.

This deeply disturbing incident is not an isolated case. It follows a growing pattern of cultural impunity and aggression, most recently evidenced by a public announcement issued by the Oloolu masquerade group in Ibadan, which warned women to stay off designated areas and imposed a compulsory dress code on all men within the vicinity of its procession. The declarations of suspension of freedom of movement, and imposition of a dress code on the general public, are not only unconstitutional but dangerously authoritarian.

No group – cultural, traditional, or religious – has the authority to suspend or curtail the rights of Nigerian citizens under any guise. The Nigerian Constitution guarantees the freedom of movement, association, and religious expression to all Nigerians, irrespective of gender, faith, or ethnicity. The right to celebrate cultural heritage does not grant anyone the right to intimidate, harass, or violate the dignity of others.

The violent act of forcibly removing an Imam’s cap- an important symbol of modesty and religious identity – is a calculated provocation. It reflects an alarming erosion of lawful coexistence and the failure of authorities to check growing lawlessness disguised as culture.

As an Islamic advocacy organization, MPAC declares in the strongest terms that:

– No Nigerian citizen or community should live under fear of being harassed or assaulted by masquerade groups or cultural fanatics.

– The Muslim population in Oyo State and across Nigeria is entitled to full constitutional protection, to live peacefully and practice their religion without intimidation.

We, therefore, make the following demands:

– An immediate investigation by the Nigeria Police Force into the Ogbomoso assault and the prompt prosecution of Lobanika and any accomplices involved.

– Urgent regulation of masquerade festivals by the Oyo State Government, ensuring that cultural expressions do not infringe upon the rights and freedoms of citizens.

– Accountability from traditional rulers and community leaders, particularly where cultural processions become platforms for violence, intimidation, or extortion.

We call on Muslims and all law-abiding citizens to remain peaceful, vigilant, and resilient in the face of such provocations. However, our patience must never be mistaken for powerlessness, nor our silence for submission to injustice.

Let it be clearly understood: Nigeria belongs to all of us, and no group is above the law. Cultural celebration must not become an instrument of oppression or a shield for unlawful conduct.

MPAC will continue to monitor these developments and stand firm in the pursuit of justice, dignity, and equal protection for Nigerian Muslims and all peaceful citizens.

-End-

Disu Kamor
Executive Chairman,
Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC)
Kamor.disu@mpac-ng.org
www.mpac-ng.org