The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has urged the contractor handling the reconstruction of a church and mosque at Ijeh Police Barracks, Obalende, Lagos, to fulfill his contractual obligations and rebuild both worship centers. The group alleged that the contractor, who is a Catholic, has refused to reconstruct the mosque, despite being engaged to handle both projects. This refusal has raised concerns over religious discrimination and the use of public funds.
According to MURIC, the church and mosque at Ijeh Police Barracks were demolished between August 31 and September 1, 2026. The group described Ijeh Police Barracks as a famous and old police barracks located on St. Gregory’s College Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. The barracks is home to a large concentration of Muslim and Christian police officers and their families, making the provision of worship centers important.
MURIC's Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, expressed concern over the contractor's alleged refusal to reconstruct the mosque, describing it as "saddening, disturbing, and disgusting." The group warned that rebuilding the church alone would contravene the terms of the contract and amount to "acrobatic manifestation of religious extremism." Akintola urged the Nigerian Police authorities to call the contractor to order and ensure that both worship centers are reconstructed.
The group alleged that the police authorities had awarded the contract to someone it described as "a religious fanatic, a certificated extremist and an undisguised Muslim-hater." MURIC questioned the alleged decision to reconstruct only the church, arguing that public funds were expected to finance both buildings. The group maintained that the contractor should ensure that both projects progressed simultaneously in the interest of transparency, accountability, and public confidence.
MURIC also raised concerns over the reported disparity in land allocation for the two worship centers. The group alleged that the portion allocated to the mosque was smaller than that allocated to the church, describing it as "unbelievable." Akintola called on the police authorities to address both the alleged refusal to reconstruct the mosque and the reported disparity in land allocation.
The group cited a report published by Brussels Signal in October 2025, which indicated that Pope Francis had allocated a special space for Muslim visitors to offer prayers at the Vatican. MURIC questioned why Muslims should allegedly be prevented from praying at some Christian-owned workplaces in Nigeria if such accommodation could be made at the Vatican.
MURIC urged the authorities to ensure that both worship centers were reconstructed in line with the reported contractual arrangement and that the concerns over land allocation were addressed. The group emphasized that if Nigeria is a land of justice, fairness, and equal rights, the contractor cannot build the church alone and refuse to build the mosque after signing a contract to build both.
Key points
- MURIC alleges that the contractor's actions constitute religious extremism and discrimination.
- The group raises concerns over the use of public funds for the reconstruction of only one worship center.
- MURIC cites Pope Francis' reported provision for Muslim prayers at the Vatican as an example of interfaith accommodation.
