The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has strongly condemned the attack on women who staged a peaceful protest against rising insecurity in Kwara State, calling for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

The women, mostly from Oke-Ode in Ifelodun Local Government Area, had gathered near the Kwara State Government House in Ilorin to protest persistent kidnappings and criminal activities affecting their communities. The protest, which was aimed at drawing government attention to their plight, turned violent when unidentified men reportedly attacked the women with canes, forcing them to flee and leaving several injured Reacting to the incident, MURIC described the attack as “barbaric, unjustifiable and a gross violation of fundamental human rights.” The organisation said the women were exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression and should not have been subjected to violence. In a statement issued by its Kwara State chairman, Toafeek Jaji, MURIC demanded that security agencies move swiftly to identify, arrest and prosecute the attackers. The group warned that failure to bring the perpetrators to justice could further erode public confidence in law enforcement and embolden those who use violence to silence legitimate grievances. MURIC is alarmed that women protesting the kidnapping of their loved ones could be attacked in broad daylight. This is unacceptable in a democratic society. Those behind this act must be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others,” the statement read. MURIC also urged the Kwara State Government to ensure the safety of citizens who engage in peaceful protests and to address the root causes of insecurity in affected communities. The organisation called for improved security presence in rural areas and sustained efforts to tackle kidnapping and banditry. Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has since condemned the attack, distancing the state government from the incident and reiterating that peaceful protest is a legitimate right of citizens. He directed security agencies to investigate the matter and bring the culprits to book. Despite assurances from authorities, as of the time of this report, no arrests have been confirmed, raising concerns among civil society groups and residents who insist that justice must be seen to be done. The incident has continued to spark outrage across the state and beyond, with many Nigerians calling for accountability and stronger action to curb insecurity, particularly in rural communities where kidnappings have become frequent.