MURIC demands swift prosecution of Oriire terrorists after rescue of abducted Oyo pupils, teachers

MURIC demands swift prosecution of Oriire terrorists after rescue of abducted Oyo pupils, teachers

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Oyo State chapter, has called for the immediate prosecution of suspects arrested over the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, insisting that those responsible for the attack must face swift justice to deter future acts of terrorism and kidnapping.

The call followed the successful rescue of the abducted schoolchildren and teachers after spending 56 days in captivity, bringing to an end one of the most disturbing school kidnapping incidents recorded in Nigeria’s South-West in recent years.

In a statement issued on Friday, the General Secretary of MURIC, Oyo State, Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, commended President Bola Tinubu for what he described as his unwavering commitment to securing the victims’ freedom.

He also praised the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, intelligence agencies and other security personnel involved in the operation, describing the rescue as a major victory against terrorism and organised crime.

Agunbiade further applauded security operatives for neutralising some of the suspected kidnappers and arresting eight others during the intelligence-led rescue mission, saying the operation had restored hope to the victims’ families and Nigerians.

He, however, stressed that the successful rescue should not mark the end of the government’s response, urging authorities to ensure that all suspects arrested in connection with the attack are prosecuted without unnecessary delay.

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According to him, President Tinubu’s assurance that justice would be served should be followed by a transparent, speedy and diligent judicial process capable of reinforcing public confidence in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

He warned that prolonged delays in prosecuting terrorism and kidnapping cases could weaken public trust in the rule of law while encouraging criminal groups to continue targeting innocent citizens.

The MURIC official maintained that terrorism, kidnapping, murder and every act capable of spreading fear among innocent people are completely contrary to the teachings of Islam.

Quoting Qur’an 5:33, Agunbiade said Islamic teachings prescribe severe consequences for those who wage violence against society and engage in acts that threaten public safety.

He argued that attempts to associate terrorism with Islam are misleading, insisting that the religion places great emphasis on protecting lives, preserving human dignity and maintaining peace and security.

According to him, Islam forbids not only acts of terrorism but also any action that unnecessarily frightens or harms innocent people.

Agunbiade said those responsible for the Oriire school abduction should face the full weight of the law through a fair and expeditious trial, adding that justice must be both swift and proportionate to serve as a deterrent to others.

He noted that while the rescue operation had restored hope to the affected families, ensuring accountability through successful prosecution would further strengthen Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes.

He urged the Federal Government to sustain ongoing security operations against criminal groups across the country while strengthening intelligence gathering, community policing and the protection of schools and other vulnerable public institutions.

The MURIC scribe added that Nigeria must continue to demonstrate that terrorism has no place within its borders and that those who attack innocent citizens will always face justice through lawful means.

Security agencies recently rescued the abducted pupils and teachers after an intelligence-led operation that reportedly forced the kidnappers to flee their forest hideout, abandoning the victims. During the operation, some members of the gang were neutralised while eight suspects were arrested and are currently in custody for further investigation and prosecution.

MURIC demands swift prosecution of Oriire terrorists after rescue of abducted Oyo pupils, teachers