The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has issued a strong warning over what it describes as a growing pattern in terrorist operations across Nigeria. According to the organisation, armed groups are no longer singling out followers of any particular religion but are instead attacking crowded places to maximise casualties and boost their ransom profits.
The alert was delivered in a statement released on Sunday by MURIC’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, who emphasized that the recent wave of attacks on both Christian and Muslim communities is rooted in what the group calls a “crowd mentality”—not religious hatred.
Terrorists After Numbers, Not Religions — MURIC
Professor Akintola explained that evidence gathered by the organisation shows that terrorists and bandits are attracted to large gatherings, where they can abduct or kill more people at once. He stressed that the misconception that extremists intentionally target either Christians or Muslims is inaccurate.
According to him, the main objective of these groups is to “secure the highest number of victims, extract higher ransoms and achieve maximum publicity.”
Akintola added that this crowd-based approach explains why attackers frequently strike mosques, churches, schools, markets, and other densely populated places.
Crowd Mentality Explained
MURIC’s theory of crowd mentality suggests that terrorists deliberately seek environments where many people gather—whether for worship, learning, or entertainment.
Akintola compared this behaviour to entertainers who prefer performing for packed venues rather than empty halls. In the same way, terrorists look for crowds to ensure higher impact and increased financial gains from ransom operations.
He highlighted that:
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Terrorists do not invade empty mosques.
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They do not storm deserted churches.
“These groups are not after the structures,” he said. “They are after the people.”
Not a Religious War — MURIC Clarifies
Professor Akintola strongly refuted claims of a religious genocide, saying such narratives are emotionally charged and misleading. Instead, he urged Nigerians to view the attacks through a more objective and unified national lens.
He explained that both Muslims and Christians have suffered losses, making it clear that the attackers are driven by economic motives, not faith-based agendas.
“The church is not the target. The mosque is not the target. The Christian is not the target. The Muslim is not the target. Human beings are the target because they carry monetary value,” he insisted.
Terrorists Seek High Casualty Figures for Publicity
MURIC noted that apart from financial gains, terrorists aim to create widespread fear and embarrassment for the government. By attacking places where people must naturally gather—such as weekend services or school hours—they secure maximum media coverage and public panic.
The group warned that this pattern will persist unless communities and authorities acknowledge the true motive behind these attacks.
Call for Unity and Practical Security Measures
Professor Akintola urged the Nigerian government and religious bodies to work together to make public gathering places safer. He stressed that addressing the crisis requires intelligence-driven strategies and a collective effort free from religious suspicion.
He cautioned that if Nigerians continue blaming one another along religious lines, terrorists will remain successful in their divide-and-conquer strategy.
“We can defeat them through understanding, unity, and improved security thinking,” Akintola said.
“Let Muslims, Christians, and the Federal Government sit together and develop better protection for mosques, churches, and schools. It is a matter of applying our reasoning faculty.”
He concluded with a quote:
“Many receive advice, only the wise profit from it.” — Proverbs 13:10
