Alleged Harassment of Veiled Muslim Woman By Naval officer at Ijora, Lagos, Right Monitors HURMA Calls For Calm, Assures Justice – Rights Monitors
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The Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA Global Resource Initiative) has appealed for general calmness among Muslim groups proposing to protest recent alleged harassment of a veiled Muslim woman by a Naval officer among others at Ijora community area of Lagos State.
This message was delivered by the leadership of HURMA through its Executive Director, Comrade Buna Olaitan Isiak during a visit to Ijora area of Lagos State to prevent any action that can lead to religious crisis in the state.
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Alleged harassment and attempted murder of a Muslim woman in hijab was recently widely circulated among many Muslim groups on the social media and this was reportedly determined to be equally resisted by certain groups while some as well proposing an open protest in the affected community.
The matter was reported to HURMA office by friends and relatives of the victim and this was promptly attended to. A panel of investigation and enquiry was set up by the leadership of HURMA to quickly visit all affected areas and offices and as well call for general calmness with assurance of justice to both the affected family and the entire Islamic community who according to circulating report are threatened by the event.
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The investigating team headed by the Executive Director of HURMA, Comrade Buna Olaitan Isiak moved from the Central Admin office in Somolu and visited Ijora community
where they addressed the Muslims at Ijora Central Mosque after jumat service on Friday, May 23rd.
Prominent personalities who are calling for justice joined the HURMA enquiry team at the Ijora community and this include Ustaz Comrade Momoh Raimi Bio; Ustaz Kamorudeen Thanni; Mr. Shakirullah Abd-Rahman (Mr. White); Comrade Ismaila Sulaiman Ayinde (Zega) and Mr. Abd-Hakeem Sekoni of Concerned Muslims and Mr. Musa Muhammad, the victim’s husband among others.
According to report gathered by HURMA office, the victim, Mrs. Fatima Musa, a 40 year old fully hijab woman who is also an asthmatic patient was going to her house on the evening of Saturday, May 17th but got suddenly stopped around Ijora by one young man who was later identified as a Naval officer. The man requested that she should remove her veil (face cover) to confirm she was truly a woman because she was walking like a man. This veiled woman initially resisted but later agreed to open her face for a fellow woman. A woman was invited from the bear parlor where the Naval officer was and this woman as well attacked the helpless Muslim woman for disobeying the Naval officer. The beating and other harassment almost ended her life when a good Samaritan from the community intervened and rescued her.
The matter through concerned Muslim brothers was reported to the Ojora police station on next day and two major accused, the Naval officer and one Mrs. Tawa Ojinja were arrested. Although the Naval officer now at large was released to a senior Naval officer, Lt Commander Koko who came officially for his bail with assurance of proper disciplinary actions at the Naval base, the other woman was charged to court on Monday, 19th May and now remanded at Kirikiri prison with case adjourned to 10th of June, 2025. The presiding judge at Sikiru Adagun Magistrate court, Mba Street in Ajegunle Apapa where the trial took place instructed that the accused Naval officer be presented at the next adjournment date.
HURMA led panel visited the Nigeria Naval Base headquarters, in Apapa where they were assured by a senior officer that the matter would be given all necessary follow up in the following week and all concerned would be invited to witness the disciplinary process as the Nigerian Navy, as an institution does not support indiscipline of whatever kind.
Ijora Police Divisional Headquarters was as well visited for commendation of job well done among other actions which include information gathering.
At the Palace of Odofin of Ijora the Chief Odofin gave assurances of a peaceful and accommodating environment to all religious sects, including Muslims and guaranteed open door policy to all.
According to him the readiness of the traditionalist to protect Islam as a peaceful religion was displayed when he had to ensure the arrest and prosecution on one of his siblings who is now remanded in prison for assaulting a Muslim woman.
Chief Prince Ajibola Odofin finally joined the Human Monitors to appeal for general calmness and request peaceful interaction.
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