The Muslim community in Oyo State has condemned the Sharia-related demands reportedly made by terrorists holding teachers and pupils abducted from schools in Oriire Local Government Area, declaring that the criminals do not represent Islam or Muslims.
The position came as public and private schools across Oyo State’s 33 local government areas shut down in solidarity with the abducted victims.
Also, security analysts, who spoke to Saturday NEW MUSK in separate interviews, offered differing views on how the Federal Government could respond to the terrorists’ demands.
The abductors, who attacked three schools in Esinele, Yawota and Alawusa communities on May 15, reportedly demanded the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related law before freeing the captives.
In a statement issued on Friday and jointly signed by its Chairman, Alhaji Ishaq Sanvni, and Secretary-General, Alhaji Murisiku Siyanbade, the Muslim community in Oyo State described the terrorists’ action as criminal and contrary to Islamic teachings.
The group said attempts by the abductors to justify their actions through religious rhetoric amounted to a distortion of Islam.
“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 organisation added that terrorists could not claim to speak on behalf of Muslims.
“Terrorists do not represent Islamic values and cannot speak for Muslims,” it stated.
Quoting Chapter 5 Verse 32 of the Holy Qur’an, the community stressed that Islam places a high premium on the protection of human life and urged security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue those in captivity.
The development came amid growing concerns over the fate of the abducted teachers and pupils.
A traditional ruler in one of the affected communities, the Eleshi of Esiele, Oba Tajudeen Abioye, appealed to the government to secure the release of the victims.
“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,” he said.
Findings by Saturday NEW MUSK revealed that the management of private schools issued a statement on Wednesday directing all schools to shut down from Friday, June 5.
One of the internal memos obtained by our correspondent in Ibadan, the state capital, on Wednesday read, “Due to the situation at hand and the ongoing protest in the state, all pupils and students should stay at home until further notice. No school for now until further notice.”
Also, a message circulated to private schools by the Ibadan District Chairman of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, Joshua Olaoluwa, and obtained by Saturday NEW MUSK, read, “Good day, all school owners/administrators. Due to the recent kidnapping of teachers and students in Oriire LGA and rising security concerns, all NAPPS member schools in Ibadan District will be closed on Friday, June 5, 2026, as a mark of solidarity and for prayers for the victims’ safe release and the protection of all schools.
“If anyone tries to disrupt school activities before or after Friday, please record a video if it is safe to do so, report to the nearest police station, and inform your NAPPS LGA coordinator and the district office immediately.”
The state Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Fatai Hassan, had earlier disclosed that all public secondary and primary schools would remain closed until the abductees are rescued alive.
Speaking with Saturday NEW MUSK in Ibadan, the chairman of the Parents-Teachers Association of one of the affected schools, who requested anonymity, said, “We had already held a meeting over the closure of the school. You know this is more or less a remote area. It is not that remote, but we cannot compare schools in this environment with those around the Agbowo-UI, Bodija, Sango or Mokola axis.
“But we had to consider those students writing their terminal examinations. Otherwise, we would have joined the public protest since Monday. We eventually shut down the school on Wednesday,” the source said.
The terrorist commanders
Saturday NEW MUSK gathered that two of the terrorists being demanded for release are Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, alias Isah Adam or Mahmud Al-Nigeri, who is also known as Mallam Mamuda.
Bara’a hails from Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State, while Al-Nigeri is from Daura, Katsina State.
Findings revealed that the duo are leaders of the Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan (JAMBS/Ansaru), a breakaway faction of Boko Haram, and are alleged to have aided and abetted acts of terrorism in the country between 2013 and 2015.
It was gathered that the suspects were arrested between May and July 2025 and are currently standing trial on terrorism charges in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/464/2025, filed on September 4, 2025.
The trial of the suspects commenced on January 15, 2026, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Asked why the government continued to keep the terrorist leaders in custody despite the atrocities they were alleged to have committed, one of the top security officers involved in the trial said, “We did not kill the terrorist leaders immediately they were caught. We have a justice system and court process which must be followed.”
FG in dilemma
A retired Brigadier-General in the Nigerian Army, Bashir Adewinbi, urged caution, even as he said the reported ransom demands had put the government in a tight corner.
He warned that the government should consider the intricacies of the negotiation process, the ransom demands and the security implications for the country.
Adewinbi, who is the immediate past Commandant of the Amotekun Corps in Osun State, said, “The current situation brings to the fore the saying that prevention is better than cure. We are now at the mercy of the terrorists because of the safety of our people in their custody. We cannot imagine the trauma that the victims are going through.
“The lives of the people in captivity are very important, and looking at the implications of the terrorists’ conditions, it is something that calls for caution. Anytime you give terrorists cash, you are creating insecurity because you are empowering them. They will use the money to recruit more fighters, expand their operations and commit more harm.
“A stitch in time saves nine. I think the government is in a position to determine how it wants to approach the matter based on the information and capacity it has to rescue the pupils and teachers without any harm. It is a very difficult situation.
“Many will say the government should give the terrorists whatever they want, but it is a very dicey situation, and it depends on what the government prioritises. The clear thing is that the government is in a dilemma now. Nobody wants to lose his or her loved ones, and these criminals are deadly.”
Govt needs proof of victims’ safety – Ex-general
However, another retired Brigadier-General in the Army, Peter Aro, said the government’s immediate priority should be establishing proof that the abductees are still alive before taking any decision.
He noted that prolonged captivity could pose serious risks to young children, especially given the prevailing weather conditions.
“It is a harsh reality that infants and young children can find it incredibly difficult to survive for up to 21 days under extreme tropical weather, especially during this gruelling season,” Aro said.
The retired military officer also cautioned against public statements that could inadvertently aid the kidnappers, noting that criminal groups often monitor media reports and public reactions.
SOURCE: NEWMUSK
Sign in to add your reaction.
Tags
