NACOMYO calls for end to attacks on Muslim women using niqab in Nigeria

A Niqab is a type of veil worn by Muslim women that is made of lightweight opaque fabric and leaves only the eyes uncovered

The group, spoke out after a mob attacked a woman, Hajia Shukura Olapade, at Oje Market, Ibadan, Oyo State, last Wednesday.

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Hajia Shukura on that fateful day who was in her fully-covered dress, stood in the market of Oje, buying some beans in front of an Hausa seller, before being approached by two women, who alleged her of being a kidnapper because she was dressed in a covered clothe.

That was just after they firstly argued with her that she were a man, claiming that she walked like a man.

The Muslim woman, who was asked to show her face to confirm if she weren’t a man, later agreed to open her face for the two women who later called upon some men over the woman, at the scene of the incident.

After she opened her veil to them, confirming that she was actually a woman, the two women alarmed claiming the woman was a kidnapper, and this led to the sorrowful attack on the Muslim woman.

It was learnt that the woman was beaten, harassed and wounded by the men that approached and the two women, before her husband was later contacted, and got there with some other people.

Before the information got escalated, the attackers had run away, but one of the attackers was reprimanded and sent to the police custody.

It was also learnt that such an incident occurred in Ijora Oloba, Lagos Island area, in Lagos state few days ago, when an Hijab woman was also alleged for the same claim of being a kidnapper.

“NACOMYO frowns at this barbaric, preposterous, blasphemous and criminal act of harassing Muslim women dressing modestly as commanded by Allah”, the statement signed by the group’s coordinator in Oyo State, Alhaji Dawood Afolabi read.

Alhaji Afolabi who described the act as uncultured and flagrant trampling on fundamental human rights of the victim, called for quick dispensation of justice to the culprits.

“I am appealing to the Nigeria Police Force to embark on thorough investigation into the matter with a view to bringing the culprits to book so as to serve as deterrent to others”, Afolabi appealed.

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He noted that it has become imperative for government, especially the security agencies to nip the unwarranted trend, as similar incidents were reported at Ijora, Oloba, Lagos two weeks earlier, stressing that such uncouth act could serve as a recipe for chaos in Yorubaland which is known for peaceful coexistence and mutual religious tolerance.

NACOMYO appeals for calm from the general public while the authorities are taking appropriate steps to curb the menace.

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