Why Governor Zulum Directs Immediate Investigation into MURIC’s Claims of Hijab Harassment in Maiduguri Hospitals

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has directed the commissioner of health, Baba Malam Gana, to investigate the allegations of harassment meted out to some health workers who wore hijabs to work in some government hospitals.

In a directive issued on Thursday through his spokesman, Dauda Iliya, Prof. Zulum asked the Commissioner of Health and Human Services, Professor Baba Mallam Gana, to undertake an immediate and thorough investigation to ascertain the veracity of the claims of harassment flying around the online space.

The governor expressed deep worries over the statement by the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) alleging the harassment of Muslim women for wearing hijab in some hospitals in Maiduguri.

He noted that while the government is “not aware of any official report or complaint’ regarding such incidents, his administration has taken the allegations with the utmost seriousness.

The statement noted that Zulum reiterated his administration’s commitment to protecting the religious rights and dignity of all citizens, particularly that of women.

He stated that Borno State, being a predominantly Muslim society, holds hijab in high esteem, and any form of harassment against those who choose to wear it is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

“The welfare and rights of our citizens, especially our mothers, wives, and daughters, are paramount. We have zero tolerance for any form of discrimination or harassment.

“While we have no prior record of such complaints, we are not taking these allegations lightly. This investigation will be swift and transparent. If any wrongdoing is found, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken immediately,” Zulum assured.

Zulum urged the public, and specifically individuals who have experienced such treatment, to come forward and assist in the investigation with credible information to ensure a fair and just outcome.

“I assure the public that the Borno State government under my leadership will not tolerate any action that unjustly targets or humiliates any segment of our society,” he concludes.

MURIC had reported that three government hospitals in Maiduguri, the Borno State Capital, were accused of harassing Muslim women who wear Islamic garments.

Those they mentioned were the Maiduguri General Hospital, Umaru Shehu Hospital, and the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH).

MURIC levelled the allegation in a statement titled ‘Maiduguri Hospitals Harassing Muslim Women’ in a press release, which was signed by the group’s Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, and circulated among newsmen on Thursday.

Removal of hijab for security checks

MURIC had alleged that the security officials were fond of asking some women with suspicious body architecture to remove the veil so that they could see what they were carrying underneath before entering the hospital, where they could replace the hijab.

“Hiding under the prevailing atmosphere of insecurity in the state, the security details at the gates of the three hospitals are in the habit of ordering Muslim women who wear niqabs (Islamic veils) to remove them completely as they approach the gates until they enter the hospitals’ premises.” It had posited.

At the height of the insurgency, most of the suicide bombers who were nabbed before they exploded the IEDs on them were found to have hidden such explosives in between their breasts and private parts before wearing the hijab and approaching their victims.

Whenever the insurgents wire them like that, they direct them to approach heavily crowded places where they detonate such explosives, leaving very high casualties at most times.

Why Governor Zulum Directs Immediate Investigation into MURIC’s Claims of Hijab Harassment in Maiduguri Hospitals