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.
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.
Read Also:Oyo Govt decries students writing WAEC at night , seeks rescheduling
“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.
Read Also:Makinde orchestrated Oyo schoolchildren abduction to embarrass Tinubu – Fayose alleges
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.
The terrorist commanders
It was 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.
Read Also:I know politicians behind Oyo kidnappings- Igboho alleges
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.”
