• Home
  • News
    • Nigeria
    • Africa
    • Middle East
    • World
    • Features
    • Interviews
    • New Edition
    • Muslim News
  • Analysis
    • Islam & Media
  • Perspectives
    • Opinion
    • Press Releases
    • Editorial
    • Letters
    • Al-Fahm
  • Islam-tainment
    • Sports
    • Arts
    • Poetry
  • Multimedia
    • Audio
    • Video
    • Photos
    • Investigations
  • iGuide
    • Testimony
    • Salah
    • Zakat
    • Fasting
    • Muslim Personalities
  • DONATE
Thursday, July 17, 2025
Muslim News Nigeria
  • Home
  • News
    • Nigeria
    • Africa
    • Middle East
    • World
    • Features
    • Interviews
    • New Edition
    • Muslim News
  • Analysis
    • Islam & Media
  • Perspectives
    • Opinion
    • Press Releases
    • Editorial
    • Letters
    • Al-Fahm
  • Islam-tainment
    • Sports
    • Arts
    • Poetry
  • Multimedia
    • Audio
    • Video
    • Photos
    • Investigations
  • iGuide
    • Testimony
    • Salah
    • Zakat
    • Fasting
    • Muslim Personalities
  • DONATE
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • Nigeria
    • Africa
    • Middle East
    • World
    • Features
    • Interviews
    • New Edition
    • Muslim News
  • Analysis
    • Islam & Media
  • Perspectives
    • Opinion
    • Press Releases
    • Editorial
    • Letters
    • Al-Fahm
  • Islam-tainment
    • Sports
    • Arts
    • Poetry
  • Multimedia
    • Audio
    • Video
    • Photos
    • Investigations
  • iGuide
    • Testimony
    • Salah
    • Zakat
    • Fasting
    • Muslim Personalities
  • DONATE
No Result
View All Result
Muslim News Nigeria
No Result
View All Result

Nigerians accuse The Punch of fueling religious crisis in Nigeria over Church demolition report

– Query newspapers' silence on Mosque, other structures affected by demolition

by Muslim News Nigeria
4 years ago
in IslamMed
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Nigerians accuse The Punch of fueling religious crisis in Nigeria over Church demolition report

Some sections of Nigerians have berated The Punch newspaper over its report published online on Tuesday, June 15, with the headline ‘Outrage as FG demolishes 12 Lagos churches on alleged illegal plots’.

The newspaper which branded itself as the most read newspaper in Nigeria had written that the officials of the Federal Housing Authority on Sunday demolished 12 churches on 2nd Avenue, FESTAC Town, Lagos State.

Nigerians, who were outraged by the misleading headline, swiftly condemned the newspaper, accusing it of using what they tagged one-sided and biased report to fuel religious crisis in an already volatile country, making it look like the Federal Government is at war with the Church, and Christianity.

They noted that the newspaper, renowned for its Islamophobia, made it looked it was only churches that were affected, whereas mosques and other structures were also involved.

The newspaper also quoted one of the Pastors, who “accused the government of leaving certain churches, because their leaders had political connections.”

The angry Nigerians, in series of comments monitored by Muslim News, lambasted the newspaper, saying that the churches, and other affected structures, we’re businesses built on illegal lands.

Akin Philip said, “The Punch, you didn’t get this right. You sounded as if the target was on churches in that area where I was live on Sunday. All the structures on that line are all illegal and 99% of the people there knew that and the focus wasn’t on churches. We have mosques. Please make your findings well before posting any news.

Ameen Sanusi also stated that Churches, Mosques, houses, and a couple of businesses were affected by this exercise but The Punch Newspaper makes it sound like Churches were the target of the exercise.

“I think we should all agree now that reportage like this are the reason the country is in the state it is in presently. #punchnewspapers playing judge and the jury. You need to do better,” he added.

According to Fola Ademosu, “This story is slanted to feed the biases of the writer and his hirers. As someone (Akin Phillip) pointed out, several structures illegally erected within the affected area were pulled down. But The Punch headline tends to suggest churches were deliberately targeted for demolition.

“The PUNCH, it is not ethical to sensationalise an otherwise ordinary occurrence aimed at ensuring town planning laws are adhered to. The continued flouting of this law portends danger to the larger society and environment, far more than it will do those occupying the illegal structures.

“It is appalling that The Punch is fast losing the credibility, reliability, and appeal it garnered over the years, primarily due to poorly written stories and, sometimes, outright lies. If The Punch Newspaper intends this for click bait, then it is irresponsible. This is a clear case of stoking discord and inciting people to violence,” he added.

Oladimeji Olaide noted that the number of years the people have been on a parcel of land doesn’t matter as long as the allocation is illegal.

He said, “We have seen some buildings erected as far back as the late 70s and eventually got demolished when found to have been on an encroached land. So why the noise?!. Besides, a report had it that so many other buildings were also affected and business was not spared as well, so why making this report look like a religious witch-hunt? I hope The Punch can do better than this for reportage as this can incite religious crisis and thus add to already precarious state of insecurity in the land.”

Many concerned Nigerians including media practitioners called on the newspaper to either take down what they termed misleading story or do a follow-up, including “mosques and others” affected structures.

Nwetu Osita said, “Dear The Punch Newspaper online. I wrote to inform you that you are misinforming your audience on this particular matter and consequently need to take the post down to regain your time-honored respect.

“I hope The Punch will be bold enough to accept that this skewed report isn’t but garbage, and for it to remain relevant, there is need for a follow-up, which include the affected mosques and other structures demolished,” Lekan Ogunmola noted.

Sponsored

SUPPORT MUSLIM NEWS NIGERIA

With your generous financial contributions to MUSLIM NEWS, you are helping to sustain a culture of journalistic integrity that promotes tranquil Islamic values and ensures it remains free and available to all.

BANK TRANSFER

Rawshield PR Company

0568624004

Guaranty Trust Bank

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Related

Previous Post

Hajj 2021: It is a huge loss, but we accept the cancellation as the will of Allah – MD Hajj Mabrur, Alhaji Solate

Next Post

The Punch makes u-turn, updates church demolition story to include ‘mosque, others’

Next Post
The Punch makes u-turn, updates church demolition story to include ‘mosque, others’

The Punch makes u-turn, updates church demolition story to include 'mosque, others'

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Post

Turkiye warns of Gülenist terrorist threat in Nigeria, other countries

Turkiye warns of Gülenist terrorist threat in Nigeria, other countries

July 17, 2025
World reacts to Israeli attacks on Syrian capital amid escalation

World reacts to Israeli attacks on Syrian capital amid escalation

July 17, 2025
Iyewo expands affordable health plan to Oyingbo, Mile 12, Oke-Arin Markets

Iyewo expands affordable health plan to Oyingbo, Mile 12, Oke-Arin Markets

July 17, 2025
Muslim organisations pay tribute to Buhari, urge Nigerians to emulate ex-president’s values

Muslim organisations pay tribute to Buhari, urge Nigerians to emulate ex-president’s values

July 16, 2025

Donate to Muslim News

Nigerians and the world need alternative journalism that unites Muslims; promotes Islam and spreads the universality of its true message.

If you help Allah’s cause, Allah will help you. Qur’an 22:40

Muslim News Nigeria is committed to reporting Islam and happenings in the Muslim world in accordance with Islamic principles based on truth and truth-telling (siddiq and haqq), pedagogy (tabligh), seeking the best for the public interest (maslahah), and moderation (wasatiyyah).

We have a fold of professional, conscious and devoted Muslims who work tirelessly on stories and those who donate to assist the cause.

News reporting and production is a process with different stages, each with its cost implication. Hence, as we appreciate existing supporters and sponsors, we look forward to more donations from well-meaning Muslims and members of the general public.

Your kind gesture will make our work seamless.

Donate now!!!

Rawshield PR Company,
GTB Account: 0568624004

About Us

Muslim News, a publication of Rawshield PR Media, is a mouthpiece for underreported Muslim achievers and events in Nigeria and across the world, which are never given prominence in the mainstream media.

Email: muslimnewsng@gmail.com
Tel: +234 805 240 4597

Our Mission

To give special media attention and coverage to important people and events in the life of Muslims that do not gain mainstream media attention, and to change the media narrative of blaming Islam and Muslims for offences committed in its lofty name.

About Us

Muslim News, a publication of Rawshield PR Media, is a mouthpiece for underreported Muslim achievers and events in Nigeria and across the world, which are never given prominence in the mainstream media.

Email: muslimnewsng@gmail.com
Tel: +234 906 869 5152

Our Mission

To give special media attention and coverage to important people and events in the life of Muslims that do not gain mainstream media attention, and to change the media narrative of blaming Islam and Muslims for offences committed in its lofty name.

Editorial Policy

We shall be fair to all persons, irrespective of their religions and ideologies, as long as that promotes the image of Islam and unites the Muslims. We shall also uphold the ethical standards of journalism, as allowed by Islamic ethics.

Support Muslim News

Rawshield PR Company

0568624004

Guaranty Trust Bank

  • Home
  • News
  • Analysis
  • Perspectives
  • Islam-tainment
  • Multimedia
  • iGuide
  • DONATE

© 2022 Published by RawshieldPR

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Latest News
  • Nigeria News
  • Africa News
  • Middle East News
  • World News
  • Sports News
  • Support Muslim News Nigeria

© 2022 Published by RawshieldPR