Oyo Muslim Leaders Dismiss Abductors' Demands for Sharia Law

The Muslim community in Oyo State has issued a scathing rebuttal to the extremist demands made by the gunmen responsible for the recent abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in the Oriire Local Government Area. In a formal statement, Islamic leaders clarified that the kidnappers' call for the implementation of Sharia law is a cynical distortion of the faith, asserting that "terrorists do not represent Islamic values."

The rejection follows reports that the abductors, who seized dozens of victims from Ahoro-Esiele on 16 May 2026, attempted to clothe their criminal activities in religious ideology. The leadership of the Oyo State Muslim Community, including Chairman Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni and Secretary-General Alhaji Murisiku Abidemi Siyanbade, stressed that Islam strictly prohibits the kidnapping and extortion of innocent civilians.

According to the group, true Sharia is rooted in justice, peace, and the absolute protection of human life, principles that are diametrically opposed to the violent actions of the bandits. To support their stance, the leaders cited the Holy Qur'an (Chapter 5, Verse 32), which equates the slaying of a single soul to the "slaying of all mankind."

The community also announced the following actions:

• Special Prayer Session: A mass prayer meeting will be held on Sunday, 7 June, at the Yidi Agodi Praying Ground in Ibadan to seek the safe return of the captives.
• Support for Security Forces: The leadership reiterated its full backing of the Federal Government and law enforcement agencies in their efforts to dislodge the criminals from the forests.
• Call for Vigilance: Residents were urged to reject extremist narratives and remain alert to suspicious activities that could undermine regional peace.

The ideological clash comes as the Federal Government faces mounting pressure to secure the release of the victims, some of whom are as young as two years old. While the abductors are reportedly demanding the release of detained terrorist commanders, both the Oyo State House of Assembly and the Presidency have rejected negotiations, citing fears that such concessions would only embolden criminal networks further.