MURIC Denounces Joint Statement With Fulani Group, Clarifies Identity Confusion With AMURIC

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has issued an urgent clarification distancing itself from a joint statement released on Friday, June 5, 2026, in conjunction with a Fulani group, explaining that the statement actually came from another Islamic organization with a confusingly similar name: AMURIC (Amalgamated Muslim Rights Concern).

In a press statement signed by Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, Secretary of MURIC’s Oyo State Chapter, on Saturday, June 6, 2026, the group informed the public that there exists another Islamic body called AMURIC, which was responsible for the joint statement. “We wish to explain further that it was AMURIC that issued a statement in conjunction with a Fulani group yesterday, not MURIC,” the statement read.

While clarifying the identity mix-up, MURIC affirmed that like every other ethnic group in Nigeria, the Yoruba people have the inalienable right to defend themselves against bandits and terrorists. The group stated that Yoruba leaders of all persuasions have the right to mobilise the youth towards achieving this objective. This affirmation comes amid growing concerns over insecurity in the South-West region, where incidents of banditry, kidnapping, and terrorist infiltration have prompted calls for local vigilance and self-defence measures.

MURIC acknowledged that AMURIC is a sister Islamic organization made up of respected Muslim brothers and sisters, but advised the leadership of the group to make such changes in its name as to easily differentiate between it and MURIC. “We therefore call on those behind AMURIC to adopt a distinctly different name that will not create confusion with MURIC or mislead the public regarding the source of statements issued by either organization,” the statement added. MURIC explained that it would be difficult for it to change its own name because it has been using the same name since its formation in 1994. The group noted that it was this same name that was registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) , suggesting that it may be difficult for the authorities to register AMURIC.

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The clarification became necessary, MURIC explained, because the organization has a difference of opinion from the position taken by AMURIC in its press statement of Friday, June 5, 2026. In particular, MURIC stated that it does not see the need for bringing the names of respected Yoruba leaders like Chief Sunday Igboho, Chief Ayodele Fayose (former Ekiti State Governor), and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State into the narrative.

Although it described itself as a national organisation, MURIC expressed its belief that bandits who make inroads into Yorubaland should be severely dealt with by both the security agencies and the civilians themselves. The group specifically mentioned that this should be done under the auspices of vigilante groups like Amotekun, Oduduwa People’s Congress (OPC) , Iru Ekun, and others. MURIC concluded by reiterating that it was AMURIC that issued Friday’s statement in connivance with a Fulani group, not MURIC, and that the organization knew nothing about it. The clarification comes amid heightened tensions over security in the South-West region, where concerns about banditry and terrorist incursions have prompted calls for local vigilance and self-defence measures.

MURIC Denounces Joint Statement With Fulani Group, Clarifies Identity Confusion With AMURIC

Oyo Kidnappers Demand Release of Ansaru Terrorist Commanders in Exchange for Schoolchildren

OYO STATE, Nigeria – The armed group responsible for the abduction of students and teachers from three schools in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State has made a chilling and unconventional demand: the release of high-profile Ansaru terrorist commanders currently in government custody, rather than a conventional ransom. The kidnappers, who targeted schools in the Esinele, Yawota, and Alawusa communities on May 15, 2026, allegedly requested the release of imprisoned terrorist leaders, a ransom payment, two Hilux trucks, and the enforcement of Sharia law prior to releasing the hostages. The attack resulted in the abduction of 46 people — seven teachers and 39 students and pupils — according to a full list of victims published by local media. One teacher, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, was brutally beheaded by the abductors in a gruesome act that has sent shockwaves across the nation. The coordinated attack occurred simultaneously with another school abduction in Borno State, where suspected terrorists abducted schoolchildren from Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in Askira Uba, marking an unprecedented escalation in the country’s security crisis.

The Federal Government now finds itself caught between its determination to secure the victims’ freedom and its reluctance to release captured commanders back into circulation, where they could regroup and resume attacks. According to a Presidency source who spoke on condition of anonymity, the Oyo and Borno school abductions were deliberately coordinated and timed to maximize pressure on the government and strengthen the terrorists’ bargaining position. “In the Oyo kidnapping, the terrorists did a coordinated attack with that of Borno because they want to use it as a negotiation,” the source explained. “They are pressing for a swap with some high-profile terrorists who are in government custody. These are some of their leaders who were arrested.” The government has maintained that the safe return of every child and every teacher remains a top national priority. Speaking at a special national security media briefing themed “Unite Against Terror,” the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated that President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to deploy all lawful means to secure the release of those in captivity. “The President has made it clear that no child belongs in captivity and that no effort will be spared in ensuring that those responsible for these heinous crimes are brought to justice,” Idris said.

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Chronicle NG 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. Mahmud Usman is from the Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State, while Mahmud al-Nigeri is from Daura, Katsina State — the home state of former President Muhammadu Buhari. The two men are leaders of the Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan (JAMBS/Ansaru) , a breakaway offshoot of Boko Haram that has established links to the al-Qaeda terrorist network. They are accused of assisting and abetting terrorist operations in the country between 2013 and 2015, a period that saw some of the deadliest attacks in Nigeria’s northeast. The suspects were captured between May and July 2025 after high-risk, intelligence-led operations announced by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu on August 16, 2025. They are currently on trial for terrorism in a suit filed on September 4, 2025, under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/464/2025. The trial of the suspects began on January 15, 2026, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja. Mahmud Usman had previously been sentenced to 15 years in prison on September 11, 2025, after pleading guilty to one count of engaging in illegal mining activities and using the proceeds to acquire arms for terrorism, though he denied other allegations. The case against him and his deputy includes charges of terrorism financing, membership in a proscribed organization, and conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism. When asked why the government kept the terrorist leaders in custody despite the horrors they were accused of committing, one of the senior security officers engaged in the trial stated: “We did not kill the terrorist leaders immediately when they were caught. We have a justice system and court process which must be followed.” This adherence to due process, while commendable from a legal standpoint, has now created negotiating leverage for the abductors.

The difficult terrain has also hindered rescue efforts. The abductors are believed to have come from the Kainji National Park area in Niger State, an expansive forest that straddles Niger, Kwara, and parts of the Republic of Benin. The heavily forested and unfamiliar terrain in Oyo State has made any potential military operation highly sensitive and fraught with risk. “The area is highly forested and unfamiliar,” an official told reporters. “The issue is the sensitivity of any hostage situation. It is a major problem because a successful hostage rescue where you have all the hostages alive is very difficult. You don’t want to risk the lives of the children and the teachers in the process.” Security analysts have offered differing views on how the Federal Government should respond to the terrorists’ demands. A retired Brigadier-General, Bashir Adewinbi, urged caution, warning that yielding to ransom demands empowers terrorists. “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.” However, Kabiru Adamu, CEO of Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited, advised the government to undertake a detailed risk assessment before deciding whether to accept or reject the demands. “If accepting their demand poses a very low risk to Nigeria as a country, we can go ahead and accept it. If, on the other hand, accepting their demand poses a high risk to Nigeria… this is the kind of risk assessment that should be conducted.” Maj. Gen. Segun Fatola (retd.) argued that Nigeria should adopt tougher measures, stating that terrorism should be treated as an act of war rather than a criminal enterprise, and that negotiating with terrorists would not solve the problem.

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Following the attack, Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, visited the affected communities in Oriire Local Government Area and met with the Commissioner of Police of the Oyo State Command, Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, alongside other security stakeholders. The IGP received detailed operational briefings on ongoing rescue efforts and assured residents that the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other security agencies, has intensified a well-coordinated search-and-rescue operation involving additional tactical and intelligence assets. Accompanying the IGP were the Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Command, Ojo Adekimi, due to the strategic proximity of the Oriire axis to border communities in Kwara State, as well as the Commissioner of Police, Schools Protection Squad, Abayomi Shogunle. The IGP’s visit was seen as a significant show of force and commitment, but questions remain about the operational capacity to conduct a successful rescue in such challenging terrain.

Chronicle NG reports that the Muslim community in Oyo State has condemned the Sharia-related demands reportedly made by terrorists holding teachers and pupils abducted from schools in the 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 National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) directed all member schools in Ibadan District to close on Friday, June 5, 2026, “as a mark of solidarity and for prayers for the victims’ safe release and the protection of all schools.” 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 a negation of Islamic teachings. The group stated that 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 partly read. Quoting Chapter 5, Verse 32 of the Holy Qur’an, which states that “whosoever kills a soul… it is as if he had slain mankind entirely,” 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 Muslim community, under the aegis of the Chief Imam of Ibadanland and Grand Chief Imam of Oyo State, Sheikh Al-Imam Abdul-Ganiyy Abubakar Agbotomokekere, also announced a special prayer for the speedy and safe return of abductees, scheduled for Sunday at Yidi Agodi Praying Ground, Ibadan. Thousands of Muslims are expected to gather to pray for the safe release of the captives.

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A traditional ruler in one of the affected communities, the Eleshi of Esiele, Oba Tajudeen Abioye, appealed to both the Federal and Oyo State governments to do everything possible to secure the release of the abducted teachers and pupils. According to the monarch, the communities are aware that the abductors have made demands, but they lack the capacity to handle the situation on their own. “We are ordinary villagers. We do not have the resources or the firepower to confront these heavily armed men,” the Oba was quoted as saying. He urged the government not to relent until every captive is rescued safely, warning that failure to act decisively could lead to more attacks on schools in the region. The traditional ruler also called on the government to deploy more security personnel to the border communities between Oyo and Kwara states, which he described as porous and vulnerable to terrorist infiltration.

According to a full list of victims published by local media, the 46 abducted individuals include seven teachers and 39 students and pupils drawn from the three affected schools. The victims range in age from young children in primary school to teenagers in secondary school. The names of the victims have been withheld by authorities to protect their privacy and avoid jeopardizing ongoing rescue efforts. The abducted teacher, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, who was beheaded by the terrorists, was a beloved educator described by colleagues as dedicated, patient, and deeply committed to his students. His death has cast a pall over the entire community, with residents describing the killing as senseless and barbaric. The attack has also had a significant economic impact on the Oriire LGA, with many businesses closed and parents too afraid to send their children to school. The state government has deployed trauma counselors to the affected communities to provide psychological support to families and survivors.

The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mohamed Malick Fall, has called for the immediate and safe release of the schoolchildren and teachers, describing the incidents as a grave threat to education and child protection. “The UN Resident Coordinator is deeply saddened that these school children and their teachers are still being held by armed groups. Schools must remain safe havens for learning and not places of fear. Children should never be a target,” Fall said in a statement. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) also condemned the abductions, calling them a violation of international law and a direct attack on the right to education. The international community has offered support to Nigerian security agencies, though the nature and extent of that support remain unclear.

As of the latest reports, the case remains unresolved. The government is in a holding pattern, unwilling to negotiate yet equally hesitant to mount an assault that could lead to casualties among the children. The terrorists are reportedly using the growing public outcry and protests to pressure the government into conceding to their demands. The Federal Government has authorized the recruitment of 1,000 forest guards to strengthen security presence across vulnerable communities and forests within Oyo State, but this is a medium-term solution at best. For the families of the 46 captives, every hour feels like an eternity, and only time will tell whether the government can secure their release without compromising national security. Special prayers are scheduled for Sunday at Yidi Agodi Praying Ground, Ibadan, where thousands of Muslims will gather to pray for the safe return of the abductees. People of other faiths have also been urged to pray and offer support to the affected families.

For readers seeking a quick summary of the key details, the following information has been confirmed. The attack occurred on May 15, 2026, in Oriire LGA, Oyo State, targeting three schools in the Esinele, Yawota, and Alawusa communities. A total of 46 people — seven teachers and 39 students and pupils — were abducted. One teacher, Mr. Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded by the abductors. The kidnappers are demanding the release of Ansaru commanders Mahmud Usman and Mahmud al-Nigeri, along with a ransom payment, two Hilux vehicles, and the enforcement of Sharia law in Oyo State. The Muslim community in Oyo State has rejected the Sharia demand, declaring that the terrorists do not represent Islam. The IGP has visited the affected communities and intensified rescue operations. A special prayer for the captives is scheduled for Sunday at Yidi Agodi Praying Ground, Ibadan. The United Nations has called for the safe release of the hostages.

Oyo Kidnappers Demand Release of Ansaru Terrorist Commanders in Exchange for Schoolchildren

Brains, Innovation as Young minds Steal Spotlight at Toyota Show Mobility Challenge

The future of mobility took centre stage at the Toyota Motor Show in Lagos on Wednesday as brilliant young Nigerians showcased their intellect, creativity and passion for innovation in a thrilling debate and quiz competition organised by Toyota Nigeria Limited.

The highlight of the event held at The Podium Lekki was a fiercely contested debate between two teams of young participants who impressed judges and spectators alike with their eloquence, confidence and ability to marshal convincing arguments.

After a closely fought contest, Team A, comprising Robinson Goodness, Esabu Blessing and Igbayisemore Tony, emerged victorious, narrowly defeating Team B made up of Akinware Breakthrough, Yusuf Rahimat and Dawn Ijaware.

The winning team received a cash prize of N600,000, while the runners-up went home with N300,000.

The quiz competition also generated excitement, with six contestants battling through multiple rounds of questions. Three participants were eliminated in the opening stages before the contest narrowed to a gripping final round focused largely on Toyota vehicle models and automotive knowledge.

The audience watched in admiration as the finalists displayed remarkable speed, accuracy and composure in their efforts to outsmart one another.

At the end of the contest, Feyisetan Tolase Emmanuel emerged champion and received N250,000, while Ayorinde Bolarinwa secured second place and was rewarded with N150,000.

Award-winning actor/social advocate, Kate Henshaw, who chaired the panel of judges, praised the contestants for their impressive performances and commitment to learning.

She expressed delight at the confidence, intelligence and creativity displayed by the young people, adding that the future remained bright when knowledge and innovation are encouraged.

Also on the panel was Toyota Nigeria Limited’s Head of Dealer Development and Special Duties, Henry Ojuoko, who said the programme reflected Toyota’s commitment to nurturing future innovators.

According to him, beyond selling vehicles, the TNL wants to inspire curiosity and encourage young Nigerians to explore opportunities in technology, mobility and innovation.

According to the organisers, the second day of the exhibition was deliberately dedicated to students and young professionals as part of efforts to raise awareness about automotive innovation and stimulate youth participation in discussions around the future of transportation.

The day’s activities also featured Somadina Anyama popularly called Soma – TV personality/brand influencer/actor, who joined the panel and Toyota team in the interactive section.

The Toyota Motor Show, which commenced on June 2, is the third edition of the exhibition organised by Toyota Nigeria Limited. The four-day event offers visitors opportunities to explore the company’s latest vehicle models, participate in interactive sessions, enjoy test drives and access free vehicle diagnostic services.

Visitors also experienced Toyota’s latest mobility solutions while test-driving selected models including the Camry, RAV4 and Hilux, among others.

The exhibition will conclude on Saturday with another live recording of Toyota’s PodCARst, featuring social media influencer Ride With Mee, alongside entertainment activities, outdoor games, prizes and additional test-drive sessions.

Toyota Nigeria said the event underscores its commitment to deepening engagement with customers and the wider public through education, innovation and direct interaction with the brand.