By Charles Chijioke
The Muslim community in Oyo State has firmly rejected the demand by terrorists for the imposition of Sharia law as a condition for the release of teachers and students abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area, insisting that the criminals neither represent Islam nor speak for Muslims.
Afrilensnews reports that the position was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Muslim Community of Oyo State and jointly signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Ishaq Sanvni, and Secretary-General, Alhaji Murisiku Siyanbade.
The development comes amid growing anxiety over the fate of teachers and students kidnapped during coordinated attacks on three schools in the Esiele, Yawota and Alawusa communities on May 15.
According to reports, the kidnappers demanded the release of detained terrorist leaders, payment of ransom, provision of two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia law before the victims could regain their freedom.
Rejecting the demand, the Muslim leaders described the abductors as criminals attempting to misuse religion to justify acts of violence and extortion.
“Islam forbids kidnapping, terrorism and the extortion of innocent citizens. Legitimate Sharia promotes justice, peace and the sanctity of human life, values that stand in direct opposition to the activities of criminal groups,” the statement said.
The group further stressed that terrorists cannot claim to represent the Muslim faith.“Terrorists do not represent Islamic values and cannot speak for Muslims,” it stated.
Referencing Chapter 5 Verse 32 of the Holy Qur’an, the organisation noted that Islam places a premium on the protection of human life and urged security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the safe return of the abducted victims.
The condemnation by Muslim leaders is significant because it directly counters attempts by criminal elements to cloak their activities in religious rhetoric, a development analysts warn could deepen social tensions and fuel misconceptions about Islam if left unchallenged.
The crisis has also disrupted academic activities across Oyo State, with public and private schools in all 33 local government areas reportedly shutting down in solidarity with the abducted students and teachers.
Traditional authorities have equally raised concerns over the worsening security situation. The Eleshi of Esiele, Oba Tajudeen Abioye, appealed to the government to urgently intervene and secure the release of the captives.
“We are aware of the ransom demands of the terrorists, but we are helpless. We are looking up to the government and pleading for intervention,” the monarch said.
The latest development underscores growing concerns over the spread of kidnapping and terrorism-related activities into parts of the South-West, a region that has traditionally recorded lower levels of such incidents compared to other parts of the country.
Security experts have warned that granting any of the kidnappers’ demands could embolden criminal networks, encourage further abductions and undermine national security efforts, while failure to rescue the victims promptly could heighten public fears and deepen concerns about the safety of schools across the country.
