MURIC Hails Tinubu, Makinde, Security Agencies Over Rescue of 46 Oriire Kidnap Victims

MURIC Hails Tinubu, Makinde, Security Agencies Over Rescue of 46 Oriire Kidnap Victims

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Nigerian security agencies for the successful rescue of 46 victims abducted from Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State after spending 56 days in captivity.

The group described the operation as a major victory against kidnapping and praised the professionalism, resilience and strategic planning that led to the release of the victims.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC said the rescued victims comprised 39 schoolchildren and seven teachers who had been held by kidnappers since their abduction near Ogbomosho.

Akintola lauded President Tinubu for what he described as courageous leadership, Governor Makinde for remaining steadfast throughout the crisis, and the security operatives for their gallantry during the rescue mission.

According to him, the operation demonstrated that rescuing a large number of hostages requires patience, intelligence gathering and careful execution, contrary to criticisms that had trailed the government’s handling of the incident.

He noted that security agencies successfully isolated the kidnappers, restricted their movements and psychologically weakened them before carrying out the rescue operation.

The MURIC leader said many critics failed to appreciate the complexity of the operation, arguing that the abductors had used the victims as human shields, making any hasty military action potentially disastrous.

While congratulating the security agencies, Akintola also paid tribute to officers who lost their lives during the operation, particularly Lt. Festus Isaac and another fallen colleague.

He called on the Federal Government to immortalise the slain officers and adequately compensate their families.

According to him, the Federal Government should consider providing each family with a bungalow, while the Oyo State Government should pay at least N20 million to each bereaved family as compensation.

Akintola also advocated severe punishment for convicted kidnappers, arguing that those responsible for the killing of teacher Michael Oyedokun had forfeited any moral claim to sympathy.

He referenced Islamic law, stating that kidnapping and similar violent crimes attract stringent punishments under Shari’ah, while acknowledging that Nigeria’s democratic legal system follows different judicial procedures.

Despite his strong condemnation of criminality, Akintola urged Nigerians not to allow criminals to exploit religious differences.

He stressed that peaceful Christians and Muslims share a common interest in defeating terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, adding that national unity remains essential in overcoming insecurity.

MURIC therefore called on Nigerians to remain united and support security agencies in the ongoing fight against criminal elements across the country.

MURIC Hails Tinubu, Makinde, Security Agencies Over Rescue of 46 Oriire Kidnap Victims