*Professor Ishaq Lakin Akintola.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has urged Muslims across Nigeria to heighten security and remain vigilant following alerts by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Police Force over alleged planned terrorist attacks on worship centres and other public places.
MURIC, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, advised mosque authorities, Islamic organisations and individual worshippers to take precautionary measures, particularly ahead of Friday Jumu’ah prayers and weekend asalatu gatherings.
The group urged mosque officials to establish closer communication with the police and DSS and provide security agencies with information about planned programmes and large gatherings.
It also recommended the engagement of private security personnel at mosques, stressing that guards should remain on security duty during congregational prayers and have separate prayer arrangements after the main congregation.
MURIC further advised Islamic organisations and worshippers to be cautious of unfamiliar persons at gatherings and to pay particular attention to people carrying bags, backpacks or other luggage into mosque premises.
The group proposed the introduction of prayer shifts in vulnerable locations, allowing a small team of worshippers to maintain security surveillance while others pray, after which the groups can exchange roles.
On what to do in the event of an attack, MURIC advised worshippers to immediately lie flat on the ground at the sound of gunfire and, where possible, crawl towards exits rather than rush out, in order to minimise the risk of stampede.
It also warned worshippers against rushing towards the scene of a bomb explosion, noting that secondary explosions could pose additional danger.
MURIC cautioned Muslims against adopting a fatalistic attitude to security threats, saying religious faith should be accompanied by practical precautions.
It cited the Islamic teaching that encourages believers to take necessary precautions while placing their trust in Allah, stressing that Muslims should not ignore security warnings issued by government agencies.
According to the statement by the MURIC leader, “a lackadaisical approach” to the latest security alerts would be contrary to Islamic teachings on preparedness.
MURIC also urged Muslims to report suspicious persons and activities to security agencies, including when such individuals are regular worshippers in their mosques.
The organisation called for increased vigilance around mosques, including discouraging unidentified persons from gaining access to mosque premises and restricting overnight stays in mosques where adequate security arrangements are unavailable.
It further advised mosque authorities to treat abandoned or suspicious luggage with caution and alert security agencies rather than attempting to investigate potentially dangerous items themselves.
MURIC also warned Nigerians to be alert to suspicious financial transactions, urging individuals who receive unusually large sums of money without a legitimate explanation to report the transactions to the authorities to avoid being implicated in financial crimes.
It said the security alerts should not create panic but should encourage responsible vigilance and cooperation between Muslim communities and security agencies.
The group urged Muslims to remain calm, prayerful and security-conscious, stressing that worshippers must not be caught unprepared in the face of possible attacks.