RismadarVoice ReportersFebruary 6, 2026
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on the Federal Government to clarify reports suggesting that United States troops are operating in Nigeria, raising concerns over national sovereignty, transparency and the safety of Muslim leaders.
The group said it was disturbed by what it described as secrecy surrounding the reported deployment, urged the government to clearly explain the scope, purpose and legality of any foreign military presence in the country.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Executive Director of MURIC, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, expressed discomfort over what he perceived as attempts to frame the reported mission as protection for Christians alone.
“MURIC considers this development an overreach and finds the secrecy surrounding US troop deployment to Nigeria disturbing,” Akintola said.
“While we welcome cooperation between Nigeria and the US in the fight against terrorism, we do not think US boots on the ground are necessary.”
He noted that insecurity in Nigeria cuts across religious boundaries and warned against portraying the crisis as one-sided.
“We assert that there is nothing like Christian genocide in Nigeria. What we have is terrorism, insecurity and religious persecution affecting both
Christians and Muslims, and what we lack is religious tolerance,” he stated.
Akintola also alleged that Muslims in parts of southern Nigeria had faced discrimination over the years, cautioning against what he described as selective international concern.
“If the US seeks to promote democratic principles and freedom of religion in Nigeria, it has a moral duty not to be selective but to promote freedom for both Christians and Muslims,” he said.
The MURIC leader further warned that, if reports of US troops already being on Nigerian soil were true, there should be no clampdown on Muslim leaders or religious activities.
“No Muslim leader should disappear, be assassinated or rendered,” he said.
Questioning the Federal Government’s description of the reported deployment as involving a “small team,” Akintola called for greater transparency.
“How ‘small’ is ‘small’? Nigerians deserve to know the scope, purpose and funding of this operation,” he said.
MURIC also urged the National Assembly to demand accountability from the executive arm of government, questioning whether lawmakers were consulted before any such cooperation.
“What aspect of Nigeria–US cooperation necessitates the presence of foreign troops on Nigerian soil? Was the National Assembly carried along?” he asked.
The organization further appealed to civil society groups, labour unions and student bodies to speak out on the issue.
“Silence in the face of perceived injustice only deepens division and mistrust,” Akintola warned.
