MURIC Accuses OAU International School of Restricting Hijab-Wearing Students

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has accused the management of the International School, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, of restricting hijab-wearing Muslim students from accessing the school premises.

MURIC alleged that female Muslim students were locked out of the school for several days after authorities reportedly insisted that they remove their hijabs before being allowed into the compound.

The organisation condemned the alleged action and called for the immediate lifting of what it described as a restriction on the use of hijab by Muslim students.

In a statement issued on Monday, October 5, 2026, MURIC Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, said the affected students eventually returned to school without their hijabs after they were allegedly informed that the matter would not be considered until the next meeting of the university council in December.

Akintola described the development as discriminatory and argued that it raised concerns about religious freedom, girl-child education and the rights of Muslim students.

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He cited Section 38 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and argued that school regulations should not be applied in a manner that violates constitutionally protected religious rights.

“The argument that the use of hijab violates the school’s rules does not hold any water,” Akintola said, maintaining that Muslim students should be allowed to observe their faith while pursuing their education.

MURIC also questioned the reported circumstances surrounding the restriction and urged OAU and the International School authorities to clarify the policy governing religious attire at the institution.

The organisation further expressed concern about the effect of the dispute on the affected students, who it described as underage girls, and their parents.

According to MURIC, preventing students from attending school over their religious attire could undermine efforts to reduce the number of out-of-school children in Nigeria.

The group also rejected what it said could be the argument that the school’s internal rules supersede constitutional protections, insisting that institutional regulations must conform to the country’s laws.

MURIC called on the OAU authorities to address the dispute through dialogue and respect for religious diversity, warning that continued disagreement over the issue could create tension between the university community and residents of Ile-Ife.

The organisation alleged that the action could amount to discrimination against Muslim students, but those allegations have not been independently established.

MURIC therefore demanded that any restriction on hijab-wearing students at OAU International School be lifted immediately and that the affected students be allowed to attend classes without being required to abandon their religious attire.

The group said resolving the matter in a manner that protects the students’ rights would help preserve peaceful coexistence and OAU’s reputation as a major Nigerian educational institution.

MURIC Accuses OAU International School of Restricting Hijab-Wearing Students

Ex-APC Women Leader Found Dead With Throat Slit in Bauchi

A former APC Women Leader in Bauchi South, Jemimah Dutse, has been found dead inside her residence in Bauchi State, with her throat allegedly slit by unidentified assailants.

Dutse was discovered in a pool of blood at her residence in Muazu New Layout, Yelwa, Bauchi, on Saturday, October 3, 2026.

The Bauchi State Police Command said the incident was reported at about 2:07pm by a 49-year-old man, following which detectives visited the residence and documented the scene.

Her body was subsequently evacuated to Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, for medical examination and autopsy.

The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, directed that the case be transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a discreet and thorough investigation.

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The police said the investigation is focused on establishing the circumstances surrounding Dutse’s death and identifying the person or persons responsible.

The motive for the killing remains unknown, and authorities have not established any link between the death and Dutse’s previous political activities.

The command has appealed for calm and expressed condolences to Dutse’s family, friends and political associates, while assuring them that efforts are underway to unravel the circumstances surrounding her death.

The incident has also generated concern among residents and groups in Bauchi, with calls for a comprehensive investigation and improved security in the area.

The Take-It-Back Movement, Bauchi chapter, condemned the killing and called on security agencies to intensify efforts to identify and arrest those responsible.

The group also urged the authorities to conduct a high-powered investigation into the incident and strengthen security measures across Bauchi metropolis and surrounding communities.

Police said further developments would be communicated as the investigation progresses.

Ex-APC Women Leader Found Dead With Throat Slit in Bauchi

Kidnappers torture abducted corps members, slash ransom to N100m

Relatives of 20 abducted corps members have raised fresh concerns over the safety of the victims, alleging that kidnappers have subjected them to physical torture while reducing their ransom demand to N100 million.

The prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members were reportedly travelling from Ibadan, Oyo State, to orientation camps in Abia and Akwa Ibom states when gunmen attacked two buses along the Owerri–Onitsha Road in Umunoha, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, on October 1.

The abductors initially reportedly demanded N50 million from each victim, putting the total ransom at N1 billion.

However, relatives said the kidnappers have now reduced the demand to N5 million per victim, bringing the total to N100 million.

The families also alleged that the abducted corps members were being beaten in captivity, including female victims, raising fears over their physical condition as the rescue operation continues.

A relative of one of the victims, Alimot Akande, said the situation had become increasingly frightening, appealing to the authorities to intensify efforts to secure the victims’ safe release.

According to the relatives, the abductors have maintained contact with some families through the phones of the captives and have used the communication to demand ransom.

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The families had earlier appealed to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, for intervention after the kidnappers reportedly demanded the initial N1 billion ransom.

Meanwhile, security agencies have intensified efforts to locate the kidnappers’ hideout and rescue the victims.

The Imo State Police Command said its operatives had traced the suspected kidnappers to a location in the bush. However, the operation has reportedly been complicated by intelligence that the area may have been planted with improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The police said drone surveillance was used to identify the suspected location of the captives, with plans underway to deploy additional operational equipment to safely access the area.

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has also deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, Shehu Umar Nadada, to Imo State to coordinate the rescue operation.

Nadada subsequently reviewed the security deployment and directed additional tactical resources towards efforts to rescue the abducted corps members.

Police authorities have assured the families that efforts are ongoing to locate the victims and bring them home safely.

There have also been varying reports over the exact number of people abducted and those already rescued. The police initially reported that some victims had been rescued after the attack, while relatives continued to maintain that 20 prospective corps members remained affected by the abduction.

The two buses involved in the incident have reportedly been recovered as security agencies continue operations around the area.

The Oyo State Government has also joined efforts to secure the release of the victims, maintaining contact with the Imo State Government and security agencies.

The incident has renewed concerns about the safety of prospective corps members travelling to NYSC orientation camps, particularly along major highways where kidnapping remains a persistent security challenge.

For the affected families, the immediate priority remains the safe return of their loved ones as security agencies work to overcome the reported explosives threat and reach the suspected kidnappers’ hideout.

Kidnappers torture abducted corps members, slash ransom to N100m