MURIC Rejects Kidnappers’ Alleged Shariah Demand In South-West

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has dismissed reports alleging that kidnappers in Oyo State demanded the implementation of Shariah law in the South-West as part of conditions for releasing abducted school children, describing the claim as false and malicious.

The group said the alleged demand was a fabrication aimed at tarnishing the image of Islam and misleading the public on the identity and motives of criminal elements operating in the region.

In a statement issued on Monday, MURIC Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, described the report as “a lie from the pit of Jahannam,” insisting that it did not reflect the position or ideology of any known Muslim group.

“We reject this report. It is a smokescreen. The so-called demand for Shariah was inserted by Muslim-haters among the negotiators, calculated to tarnish the image of Islam,” Akintola said.

He alleged that the report was part of a broader attempt to misrepresent Yoruba Muslims and discredit ongoing calls for the establishment of Shariah courts in the South-West.

According to him, Nigerian Muslims have no connection with kidnapping, banditry, or terrorism, stressing that such criminal acts are inconsistent with Islamic teachings.

“MURIC wishes to state categorically that Nigerian Muslims have nothing in common with kidnappers, bandits, Boko Haram, and other terrorist groups. These criminals do not represent Islam in any form,” he said.

The group, however, strongly condemned the abduction of school children and teachers in Oyo State, describing the act as barbaric and un-Islamic.

Akintola maintained that those behind the kidnapping could not speak for Muslims or use religion to justify criminality.

“They are bloodthirsty criminals who have no locus standi to demand Shariah on behalf of law-abiding Muslims,” he added.

MURIC further argued that the agitation for Shariah courts in the South-West remains a legitimate constitutional right of Muslims, insisting that it should not be linked to criminal activity.

“The Constitution guarantees the right of Muslims to access Shariah courts just as others have access to judicial systems that reflect their faith,” the statement said.

The group reiterated its commitment to pursuing the establishment of Shariah courts through lawful and democratic means, while calling on the public to disregard any attempt to associate Islam with kidnapping or violent crime.

MURIC also alleged that the report was part of a deliberate campaign by what it described as “enemies of Islam” to discredit Muslim demands in the region.

It insisted that criminals should not be mistaken for representatives of any religion, adding that security agencies have found no evidence linking kidnappers to Islamic practices.

“Bandits and kidnappers do not represent Islam. They are criminals acting on their own agenda. This narrative is a deliberate attempt to mislead Nigerians,” Akintola said.

The group urged Nigerians to remain vigilant against misinformation and what it called attempts to politicise insecurity in the country.