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The Muslim community in Oyo State has rejected demands reportedly made by terrorists holding abducted teachers and pupils in Oriire Local Government Area, insisting that the criminals do not represent Islam or the Muslim faithful.
In a statement jointly signed on Friday by its Chairman, Ishaq Sanvni, and Secretary-General, Murisiku Siyanbade, the Muslim community described the demands and abductions as criminal acts that run contrary to Islamic teachings.
The group said efforts by the kidnappers to cloak their actions in religious language amounted to a misrepresentation of Islam, noting that the faith condemns kidnapping, terrorism and the extortion of innocent people.
It added that genuine Sharia principles are rooted in justice, peace and the protection of human life, values that are fundamentally incompatible with the actions of criminal groups.
“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.
“Terrorists do not represent Islamic values and cannot speak for Muslims,” it added.
The organisation further maintained that terrorists cannot claim to speak on behalf of Muslims or Islamic values.
Referencing a verse of the Holy Qur’an that emphasises the sanctity of human life, the group urged security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of the abducted teachers and pupils.
The position was made public as schools across Oyo State’s 33 local government areas suspended academic activities in solidarity with the victims, while security experts offered differing opinions on how the Nigerian Government should respond to the kidnappers’ conditions.
The abductors, who attacked three schools in the Esiele, Yawota and Alawusa communities on May 15, are said to have demanded the release of detained terrorist leaders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related laws before freeing the captives.
The Eleshi of Esiele, Oba Tajudeen Abioye, a traditional ruler in one of the affected communities, appealed to the government to intervene and ensure the safe return of those in captivity.
The monarch said the community was aware of the demands made by the abductors but lacked the capacity to respond, expressing hope that government authorities would take the necessary steps to secure the victims’ release.
