The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has strongly condemned the license granted to Bishop David Oyedepo for the construction of a private airstrip, urging the federal government to withdraw it immediately.
In a statement issued to newsmen, MURIC’s Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, described the decision as reckless and dangerous, especially in a country grappling with religious tensions and insecurity.
MURIC argued that granting such a license to a religious leader sets a dangerous precedent, adding that it threatens national security. The group called on the National Assembly to intervene and revoke the license.
Professor Akintola recalled past controversies involving religious leaders, particularly the 2014 incident where Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor was implicated in an arms deal involving $9.3 million in cash found on a private jet in South Africa. MURIC warned that the airstrip could be exploited by foreign mercenaries or used for covert operations that endanger Nigerian Muslims.
In its statement, MURIC expressed concern that the license could deepen religious divisions in the country and urged Nigerian Muslims to remain calm while demanding that the government retract the approval to restore trust and impartiality in the system.
The group emphasized the need for the Nigerian government to avoid favoring one religious group over another, stressing that security concerns and the well-being of all Nigerians must remain the top priority.
