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The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has appealed to the Ooni of Ife, HIM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, to stop alleged harassment of Muslim traders in Ile-Ife markets by palace agents over levies for the annual Olojo Festival.
The group’s Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, in a statement on Monday, claimed that Muslim traders have been subjected to what he described as “economic extortion, religious persecution and harassment” for over five years.
According to him, members of the Artisans, Peasants and Traders Association of Nigeria (APTAN), Ile-Ife branch reported that on September 16, palace agents stormed Oja Tuntun Otisese Weekly Market to forcefully collect Olojo levies.
“MURIC received disturbing reports of goods being seized from Muslim traders who refused to pay. For instance, clothes were carted away from Mrs. Aisha Ogundare’s shop, while Mrs. Balikis Elureni and Mrs. Akande Moridiyah lost vegetable oil during the raid. Several others also suffered losses,” Akintola alleged.
He described the action as “wicked, inhuman and insensitive,” stressing that no religious group should be compelled to finance the celebration of another faith.
“This is daylight robbery and an encroachment on the fundamental human rights of Muslims. In saner climes, only adherents of a religion bear the cost of its activities,” he said.
Akintola warned that such practices fuel intolerance and could set a dangerous precedent. He referenced past incidents where traditionalists allegedly imposed curfews or attacked Muslim worshippers in parts of the Southwest.
MURIC urged the monarch to intervene by calling those behind the levy to order, while acknowledging that the Ooni may not have personally sanctioned the action.
“The suspects—Mr. Efunwole Kola, Mr. Sogo Olagbaju and Mr. Hezekiah Agunbiade—must be held accountable and made to return the seized goods. Kabiyesi is a man of peace; his swift action will restore confidence among Muslim traders,” the group insisted.
MURIC demanded justice for the affected traders, saying only accountability will protect the Ooni’s name from being tainted.
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