Contrary to the claims by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) that the Borno State Government singled out only churches for demolition in Maiduguri, investigations carried out by Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has revealed otherwise.
The Christian body had accused Gov. Zulum’s administration of attempting to wipe out churches from the state.
CAN State Chairman, Mohammed Naga made the allegation while condemning the demolition of a church building in Maiduguri and the alleged killing of a church member by Security officials working with the Borno state Geographic Information System (BOGIS).
Muslim News findings revealed that despite the State Government’s intervention and even ordered investigations into the incident, the Christian body still went ahead to accuse Governor Zulum of singling out churches in a bid to wipe out Christians from the State.
But investigations carried out by the Director of MURIC, Prof. Lakin Akintola on Wednesday, August 11, revealed that the Borno State Government actually demolished 11 mosques and four churches during the demolition exercise that started on 29th May, 2019.
The statement reads :
“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.
“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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