MURIC Lifts Ultimatum To Defence Minister, Commends Military Offensive Against Bandits In Sokoto
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has withdrawn its 14-day ultimatum to the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd.), following sustained military operations against terrorists and bandits in Sokoto State.
The group had on August 22, 2026, demanded decisive military action against attacks in the state or the resignation of the Defence Minister.
However, in a statement issued on Saturday, August 29, by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC said it had decided to lift the ultimatum following what it described as concrete military action against armed groups in Sokoto.
Akintola said the decision was prompted particularly by military operations conducted on Wednesday, August 26, and Friday, August 28.
According to him, troops of the Nigerian Army launched a major clearance operation against armed groups in Maikujera, Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
He said the operation involved the deployment of Armoured Personnel Carriers and other military assets as troops moved into the area to dislodge the bandits.
“Reports indicate that troops of the Nigerian Army launched a major clearance operation against armed groups in Maikujera, Rabah Local Government Area of Sokoto State,” Akintola said.
He added that several bandits were reportedly killed during the operation, while others fled the area.
The spokesperson for the Nigerian Army’s 8 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Olaniyi Osoba, was also quoted as describing the operation as “hugely successful.”
MURIC commended the troops for the offensive and expressed appreciation to the Defence Minister for what it described as prompt action against the armed groups.
“In the face of this ongoing military action, we hereby lift our 14-day ultimatum which was due to expire on Monday, 7th September, 2026,” the group said.
Akintola explained that MURIC did not want to maintain an ultimatum after the military had commenced concrete action against the security threat.
“MURIC is a middle-roader. We do not take extreme positions. We issued the ultimatum when it was obvious that the caliphate was endangered. We will not delay its lifting by one day once we have seen the military going into action against the terrorists,” he said.
The group, however, urged the Nigerian Army to sustain the tempo of operations and intensify its offensive until the terrorist and bandit threat in Sokoto State is eliminated.
“Nonetheless, we call on the army to sustain the tempo and to leave no stone unturned until no single terrorist remains on Sokoto soil,” Akintola said.
He also stressed the religious and historical significance of Sokoto to Nigerian Muslims, warning that insecurity should not undermine the state’s importance.
“Sokoto is the Makkah of Nigeria. Its significance to Muslims must not be desecrated or diminished,” he added.
