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MURIC Rejects Alleged Shari’ah Demand by Oyo Kidnappers, Labels It ‘Lie from Pit of Jahannam’

Published

2 months ago

June 8, 2026

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MURIC backs FRSC bill to ban preaching, hawking in commercial buses

Executive Director of MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola

MURIC Rejects Alleged Shari’ah Demand by Oyo Kidnappers, Labels It ‘Lie from Pit of Jahannam’

Accuses Christian Leaders, Hot Gospellers of Plot to Tarnish Islam’s Image

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has vehemently rejected reports that kidnappers of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State demanded the implementation of Shari’ah as part of conditions for releasing their victims, describing the alleged demand as “a lie from the pit of Jahannam.”

In a strongly worded press release issued on Monday, the Islamic human rights organisation accused “enemies of Islam” within the negotiation team of fabricating the demand to tarnish the image of the Muslim faith.

The kidnappers had reportedly demanded the implementation of Shari’ah in the South-West alongside other conditions for the release of the abducted victims. But MURIC, in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, dismissed the claim as a smokescreen.

“We reject this report. It is a smokescreen. That so-called demand for Shari’ah was inserted by Muslim-haters among the negotiators and the so-called demand was calculated to tarnish the image of Islam,” the statement read in part.

Professor Akintola went further to allege the involvement of Governor Seyi Makinde and his agents in what he described as “this devilish attempt to robe Shari’ah in criminal apparels.” He recalled that the governor had once sworn that Shari’ah would never find a place in Oyo State, adding that it was “not impossible, therefore, that the demand was fabricated in Agodi Government House.”

“It is a satanic blackmail designed to silence Yoruba Muslims who have been demanding Shari’ah,” the group added.

While vehemently disowning the alleged kidnappers’ demand, MURIC nonetheless seized the opportunity to restate its long-standing position that the struggle for the establishment of Shari’ah Courts in the South-West is “a legitimate, constitutional, and peaceful demand of Muslims in the region.”

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The organisation argued that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees the right of Muslims to seek access to Shari’ah Courts, just as adherents of other faiths enjoy institutions that cater to their religious needs.

“The refusal to allow Yoruba Muslims to practice Shari’ah is a denial of religious freedom, a deprivation of access to the judicial system and the creation of a barrier to justice,” the statement said.

However, MURIC unequivocally condemned the kidnapping of innocent schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, describing the act as “barbaric, criminal, and totally inconsistent with the teachings of Islam.”

The group insisted that those responsible for the heinous crime “cannot and will never be the mouthpiece of Yoruba Muslims,” adding that they are “bloodthirsty criminals who have no locus standi to demand Shari’ah on behalf of patriotic and law-abiding Yoruba Muslims.”

Professor Akintola further argued that bandits and kidnappers do not practice Islam, citing testimonies of former captives and discoveries by security operatives. He noted that a Nigerian who spent eleven days in captivity reported that the kidnappers did not observe the Muslim prayer (Salat) even once.

“Security agents who raided bandits’ and kidnappers’ camps have also confirmed that what they found in their camps belie the claim that they represent Muslims or the religion of Islam. Condoms were scattered all over the floor. They found abandoned bottles of alcohol and various types of hot drinks,” the statement added.

“How can such a group demand Shari’ah?” the group queried, insisting that the demand was a smokescreen concocted by those determined to permanently bury the agitation for Shari’ah.

MURIC concluded by warning Nigerians not to be deceived, describing the alleged demand as a “satanic plot” that has failed woefully.

“Stop selling dummies to Nigerians,” the group declared.

As of press time, the Oyo State Government had not officially responded to MURIC’s allegations of involvement in fabricating the Shari’ah demand. Efforts to reach the state’s Commissioner for Information were unsuccessful.

The abduction of schoolchildren and teachers from three schools in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State occurred on May 15, 2026. The victims include over 40 pupils and seven teachers from Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community High School, Ahoro-Esienle; and L.A. Primary School. During the attacks, gunmen reportedly killed one teacher and later beheaded another teacher while in captivity.

Governor Seyi Makinde has repeatedly assured residents that the government is working “round the clock” to secure the release of the victims, revealing that federal security personnel have been actively involved in the rescue mission for weeks.

MURIC Rejects Alleged Shari’ah Demand by Oyo Kidnappers, Labels It ‘Lie from Pit of Jahannam’

Related Topics:kidnappers MURIC Shari'ah Demand

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Nigeria Customs debunks fake recruitment update, warns job seekers

Published

36 minutes ago

July 23, 2026

Trends Admin

Nigeria Customs debunks fake recruitment update, warns job seekers

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has warned Nigerians to disregard a fake recruitment update circulating on social media, stating that the publication did not originate from the Service and should not be trusted.

In a statement released on Thursday, the NCS described the recruitment notice as false and advised prospective applicants to rely only on information released through its official communication channels.

According to the Service, the fake publication is part of a growing trend of recruitment scams in which fraudsters exploit the desire of Nigerians seeking government jobs by circulating false employment notices and demanding money or sensitive personal information from unsuspecting victims.

“The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) wishes to inform the public that the purported recruitment update currently circulating on some social media platforms is fake and did not originate from the Service,” the statement said.

The Service urged Nigerians to verify every recruitment-related announcement before acting on or sharing it, warning that misinformation could expose job seekers to fraud and identity theft.

It stressed that all official information regarding Nigeria Customs recruitment, promotions, screening exercises and other activities is published only through its verified communication platforms.

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The NCS advised members of the public to follow its verified Facebook page (Nigeria Customs Service) and its official Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), Threads and TikTok accounts under the handle @customsng for authentic updates.

“Members of the public are advised to disregard the publication and rely only on information disseminated through the official communication channels of the Nigeria Customs Service,” the statement added.

The Service also reminded applicants that it does not charge any fee at any stage of its recruitment process, warning that anyone requesting payment in exchange for employment should be regarded as a fraudster.

The latest advisory comes amid a resurgence of fake recruitment notices targeting applicants following increased public interest in employment opportunities within government agencies.

In recent months, the NCS has repeatedly disowned forged recruitment documents, fake screening schedules and fabricated Computer-Based Test (CBT) notifications circulated online by scammers attempting to deceive job seekers.

The Service reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, fairness and merit in its recruitment process, assuring Nigerians that whenever recruitment begins, the public will be informed through its official website and verified social media platforms.

It further urged citizens to remain vigilant by avoiding unofficial recruitment websites, refusing to make payments for employment offers and reporting suspected recruitment scams to relevant security agencies.

The NCS concluded its advisory with a reminder to Nigerians: “Stay vigilant. Verify information before sharing.”

As recruitment scams continue to evolve, the Service encouraged applicants to confirm any employment-related information through official sources before submitting applications or personal details.

Nigeria Customs debunks fake recruitment update, warns job seekers

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ICPC uncovers 908 suspected ghost workers in Police, other federal agencies, recovers ₦942m

Published

1 hour ago

July 23, 2026

Trends Admin

Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu

ICPC uncovers 908 suspected ghost workers in Police, other federal agencies, recovers ₦942m

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has uncovered 908 suspected ghost workers across at least 50 federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) accounting for the highest number of suspected fraudulent payroll entries.

The anti-corruption agency disclosed that the nationwide payroll verification exercise also led to the recovery of about ₦942 million in salaries allegedly paid to fictitious employees, describing the discovery as a significant breakthrough in its ongoing efforts to eliminate payroll fraud and improve accountability in the public sector.

Speaking on the findings, ICPC Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu (SAN), said the investigation exposed widespread manipulation of government payroll systems through the insertion of fictitious names, ineligible beneficiaries and non-existent employees into salary records.

According to the commission, ghost workers are individuals whose names are fraudulently inserted into government payrolls to illegally receive salaries despite not being legitimate employees. In some cases, public officials allegedly add the names of relatives, friends or associates to the payroll and divert the salaries for personal gain.

Aliyu revealed that investigators uncovered one case involving a suspect who allegedly placed the names of his wife, son and mother-in-law on the payroll while simultaneously collecting salaries meant for 12 other fictitious workers.

The Nigeria Police Force recorded the highest number of suspected ghost workers, with 570 names flagged during the verification exercise.

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The National Water Resources Authority followed with 80 suspected ghost workers, while the Federal Ministry of Works recorded 56.

Other agencies affected include the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which had 24 suspected ghost workers, the Federal Ministry of Defence with 19, and both the Federal Ministry of Power and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, each with 17 suspected ghost workers.

The Federal Ministry of Health recorded 15 suspected ghost workers, while the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation had 12.

The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Interior were also identified as agencies affected by payroll fraud, although the ICPC did not disclose the number of suspected ghost workers linked to the two institutions because investigations are still ongoing.

The commission explained that the payroll audit forms part of its broader strategy to support the Federal Government’s drive to eliminate financial leakages from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) and strengthen transparency in public financial management.

As part of the anti-graft campaign, the ICPC recently secured a final forfeiture order from the Federal High Court in Abuja for approximately ₦942 million traced to accounts linked to the payroll fraud scheme. The recovered funds have been forfeited to the Federal Government.

The commission disclosed that an earlier phase of the investigation initially identified 587 suspected ghost workers during a joint payroll audit conducted with the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation. Following further verification, 120 individuals were confirmed to be legitimate employees, while investigations into the remaining suspicious accounts continue.

Aliyu said the ICPC would continue to deploy technology, data analytics and collaboration with relevant government agencies to detect payroll fraud, recover stolen public funds and prosecute anyone found culpable.

He also urged heads of ministries, departments and agencies to strengthen internal control systems, conduct regular personnel audits and ensure strict compliance with payroll verification procedures to prevent future abuses.

The ICPC reaffirmed its commitment to sanitising the Federal Government payroll system, blocking revenue leakages and promoting transparency, accountability and prudent management of public resources.

ICPC uncovers 908 suspected ghost workers in Police, other federal agencies, recovers ₦942m

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How to apply for FG’s YouthCred loan and qualify for up to ₦2 million

Published

2 hours ago

July 23, 2026

Trends Admin

How to apply for FG’s YouthCred loan and qualify for up to ₦2 million

The Federal Government has launched YouthCred for Entrepreneurs, a new financing initiative designed to provide collateral-free business loans of between ₦200,000 and ₦2 million to young Nigerians running micro and small businesses.

The programme, unveiled in Abuja, is part of the government’s broader effort to improve access to affordable credit, reduce barriers to entrepreneurship and support the growth of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the country.

According to the government, the initiative will initially support 500,000 young entrepreneurs, with plans to expand the programme to one million beneficiaries before the end of the year.

Unlike conventional bank loans that often require collateral and guarantors, YouthCred uses an alternative credit assessment model that evaluates applicants based on their business cash flow, repayment capacity and credit behaviour.

Who is eligible to apply?

To qualify for the YouthCred loan, applicants must:

Be between 18 and 35 years old
Own or operate a business
Demonstrate responsible credit behaviour
Show evidence of business cash flow and ability to repay the loan
Complete the required verification process

How much can applicants borrow?

Eligible entrepreneurs can access loans ranging from:

Minimum: ₦200,000
Maximum: ₦2 million

The amount approved will depend on the applicant’s business performance, repayment capacity and credit assessment.

Who can benefit?

The programme targets young Nigerians operating small businesses and providing essential services, including:

Caterers
Fashion designers and tailors
Make-up artists
Hairdressers and barbers
Content creators
Ride-hailing drivers
Mechanics
Young farmers
National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members
ICT professionals
Other eligible micro and small business owners

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How to apply for the FG’s YouthCred loan

Applicants can complete their application online by following these steps:

Step 1: Visit the official YouthCred application portal.

Step 2: Create an account using your email address and personal details.

Step 3: Select the Youth Entrepreneur category.

Step 4: Fill in the online application form with accurate personal and business information.

Step 5: Upload the required identification and verification documents.

Step 6: Submit the application for verification and credit assessment.

Step 7: If successful, the application will be processed through participating regulated financial institutions before the loan is disbursed.

Is collateral required?

No.

One of the major advantages of the YouthCred programme is that applicants are not required to provide collateral or guarantors.

Instead, loan approval is based on:

Business cash flow
Credit history
Repayment capacity
Overall financial assessment

Flexible repayment options

Successful applicants can repay the loan over a period of one to 12 months, depending on the repayment plan that best suits their business and financial situation.

The flexible repayment structure is intended to make borrowing more accessible while encouraging responsible financial management.

How to increase your loan limit

Borrowers who perform well under the programme can qualify for larger loans in future by:

Repaying previous loans on time
Building a positive credit history
Completing the platform’s financial literacy and business training modules

Government explains purpose of the scheme

Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy said the initiative was created to unlock the entrepreneurial potential of young Nigerians by giving them access to affordable financing.

According to the minister, more than 90 per cent of Nigeria’s MSMEs are microenterprises operated by individuals such as caterers, mechanics, fashion designers, ride-hailing drivers, content creators and young farmers.

He said improving access to credit would help these entrepreneurs expand their businesses, create jobs and contribute more to national economic growth.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP), Uzoma Nwagba, said the government intends to reach 500,000 beneficiaries in the first phase and one million young Nigerians before the end of the year.

He encouraged beneficiaries to repay their loans promptly, noting that responsible borrowing would strengthen their credit profiles and allow more Nigerians to benefit from the programme.

The Federal Government said the initiative forms part of its broader strategy to promote financial inclusion, stimulate entrepreneurship and empower young Nigerians with affordable access to business financing.