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Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has cautioned Nigerians that terrorist groups are increasingly focusing on densely populated locations, rather than targeting mosques or churches based on faith identities.
The organisation’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, issued the warning in a statement released on Saturday, stressing that the pattern of recent attacks shows a shift toward what he described as “crowd-based targeting”.
Akintola explained that investigations by MURIC indicate that terrorists are driven primarily by the desire to abduct or kill large numbers of people for financial gain.
He emphasised that both Muslims and Christians must understand the trend to prevent needless religious suspicion.
According to him, terrorists have developed what he termed a “crowd mentality”, a tactic that hinges on striking places where people gather in large numbers, whether for worship, learning, or entertainment.
He noted that this explains why schools, mosques and churches often suffer repeated attacks.
He said the motivation is not ideological, but economic. “These attackers are chasing numbers because more captives mean more ransom,” Akintola said in the statement.
“They are not hunting for empty spaces. No terrorist storms an empty mosque or a deserted church. They go where human beings are concentrated.”
Akintola compared the logic of terrorists to that of entertainers who thrive on large audiences, noting that both groups are driven by the pull of crowds, albeit for entirely different outcomes.
“Crowds elevate the stakes. For terrorists, it raises the casualty count and strengthens their leverage,” he added.
He urged Nigerians to move beyond suspicion and recognise that terrorists intentionally sow religious discord to fracture national unity.
“Once we understand the pattern, we can stop accusing one another and instead confront the real threat with collective intelligence,” he said.
Akintola called on the Federal Government, alongside religious leaders, to collaborate on improved security around high-risk public spaces such as places of worship and educational institutions.
He argued that a united front would significantly weaken the business model that sustains terror networks.
He concluded with an appeal for heightened reasoning and cooperation, stressing that Nigeria can outsmart the attackers with a coordinated strategy that prioritises community safety.
The issue continues to shape national security conversations, especially as attacks on rural communities and learning centres persist across several regions.