Oyo Govt Weaponising Kidnap Saga Against Islam, MURIC Alleges

• Group says fabricated Sharia demand is part of campaign to stigmatise Muslims in South-West

IBADAN — A civil liberties organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has accused the Oyo State Government of weaponising the ongoing abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in the state to incite religious hatred against Islam and Muslims in the South-West region.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, 9th June 2026, and signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC insisted that the controversial claim that the kidnappers demanded the implementation of Sharia law as a condition for releasing the hostages raises more questions than answers. The group declared that the entire narrative appears to be a calculated attempt to stigmatise Muslims and provoke public outrage against the faith.

Professor Akintola stated that the group has been led to this conclusion because the incident occurred within Oyo State, placing the matter squarely under the jurisdiction of the state government. He argued that it is therefore assumed that the state government has a major input in the ongoing negotiations, making it complicit in the spread of the disputed information.

According to the statement, a video clip emerged immediately after the so-called demand for Sharia law surfaced, showing some traditionalists staging a public protest, presumably in Ibadan, the state capital. The group quoted the video where a lady led others to chant, “Say no to Islam, Esin apaayan,” which translates to “Say no to Islam, the religion of murderers.” MURIC described this as highly provocative.

The group maintained that the protest was staged after the fabricated demand for Sharia by the kidnappers was announced. It alleged that the kidnappers’ conditions, including the demand for the implementation of Sharia, were made public through the instrumentality of the state government under the watch of Governor Seyi Makinde.

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Professor Akintola therefore held Governor Makinde responsible for inciting people against Muslims, warning that any unpalatable outcome arising from the situation must also be attributed to him. He further argued that it would be relatively safe to conclude that the so-called conditions, including that of Sharia implementation, could not have reached the public without the knowledge of the state government.

MURIC then tasked the Oyo State government to speak up on whether or not the kidnappers actually demanded the implementation of Sharia law as a condition for releasing the kidnapped children and their teachers. The group demanded that the state government clarify the issue without further delay.

Beyond the need for clarifications, the group raised several logical questions regarding the alleged demand. It asked why kidnappers of schoolchildren in Oyo State would add the implementation of Sharia to their demands when full Sharia implementation in northern Nigeria did not dissuade kidnappers there from abducting the old, the young, Christians and Muslims alike.

The group further questioned why kidnapping became rampant in the North, which is the home of Islamic law, if the law is supposedly attractive to kidnappers. It also asked why Oyo kidnappers would demand Sharia when the same legal system did not stop kidnapping in the northern region.

Professor Akintola also demanded transparency regarding those negotiating with the kidnappers, asking who they are and how transparent the process has been. He suggested that an embedded Islamic scholar should be part of the negotiation team for verification of the Sharia clause.

In a particularly strong statement, the group argued, “How can a robber demand the presence of armed policemen at the scene of his robbery? Can a rat make it a condition that a huge cat must be on guard where it wants to steal roasted fish? It stands logic on its head.”

MURIC further noted that even the Sharia brand being practised in the North is full-scale, while Muslims in the South-West have been demanding only a mild form of civil Sharia to be used for family matters. The group questioned who the narrative was intended to fool.

The group also issued a political warning, cautioning political associates of former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress against picking Governor Seyi Makinde as a running mate. Professor Akintola described Makinde as a “sworn enemy of Islam,” claiming this has been obvious in his speeches and actions. He added that a liberal Christian from the South would be more acceptable to Southern Muslims.

In conclusion, MURIC stated that whoever injected the Sharia demand into the kidnappers’ conditionalities has “shot himself in the foot.”

As of the time of filing this report, the Oyo State Government had not issued an official response to MURIC’s allegations. Meanwhile, the abducted schoolchildren and teachers remain in captivity, with the Vice Principal of the school, Mrs. Folawe Alamu, having previously debunked the Sharia law demand in a video statement, insisting that the kidnappers only want their detained members released.

Oyo Govt Weaponising Kidnap Saga Against Islam, MURIC Alleges

“Sharia Law Demand is False” — Kidnapped Oyo Vice Principal Reveals Real Condition for Release

IBADAN, NIGERIA — In a dramatic and emotional video statement released today, the kidnapped Vice Principal of Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinele, in Oyo State, Mrs. Rachael Folawe Alamu, has strongly refuted viral reports claiming that her captors are demanding the implementation of Sharia law as a condition for the release of dozens of abducted schoolchildren and teachers. Speaking under duress but with remarkable clarity, Mrs. Alamu described the Sharia law narrative as “totally false” and pleaded with both the federal and state governments to focus on the real demand of the armed group holding them hostage.

Contrary to widespread disinformation circulating on social media, the Vice Principal stated that the abductors have made only one consistent demand. She declared in the video, “The reports going round that the terrorists are asking for the implementation of Sharia law is totally false. They only want their detained members to be released.” Mrs. Alamu emphasized that no religious or ideological conditions have been placed on the hostages’ freedom. She appealed to the government to verify facts before reacting to rumours, warning that false narratives could endanger the lives of the remaining captives.

In her most impassioned moment, Mrs. Alamu begged government officials — from President Bola Tinubu down to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde — to resist the temptation to politicize the hostage crisis. “This is not about politics. This is about innocent children and teachers who have spent weeks in the bush, exposed to cold, rain, and sun,” she said. “Please, do not play politics with our condition. Just negotiate with them. Dialogue with them. Force will only get us killed.” Her plea comes nearly three weeks after the abduction, which occurred during coordinated attacks on schools in the Ogbomoso area of Oyo State on May 15, 2026.

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The false Sharia law claim began circulating widely on social media platforms, with unverified posts alleging that the kidnappers had issued four demands including a N1 billion ransom payable into a Benin Republic bank account, two Hilux vehicles, the release of prison inmates, and the implementation of Sharia law in Oyo State. However, Mrs. Alamu’s video directly contradicts these claims, and no independent verification has supported the original rumours. The Vice Principal stressed that spreading such misinformation only worsens the situation for the hostages.

The false reports had already provoked outrage, prompting the Muslim Community in Oyo State to issue a formal statement rejecting any link between the kidnappers and Islamic law. In a statement signed by Chairman Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni and Secretary-General Alhaji Murisiku Siyanbade, the group said, “The protection of human life remains a fundamental principle of Islam. These criminals do not represent our faith. The public should not associate their actions with any religion.”

So far, the Oyo State Government has maintained that security agencies are working on a rescue mission. Governor Seyi Makinde has assured citizens that federal operatives have been deployed to the forests where the hostages are believed to be held. However, the Oyo State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin, has rejected calls for direct negotiation, arguing that paying ransoms or negotiating with terrorists would embolden criminal networks. Meanwhile, the Federal Government has yet to issue an official response to Mrs. Alamu’s latest video.

The case has drawn national and international attention due to the involvement of schoolchildren, the gruesome killing of teacher Michael Oyedokun by the captors earlier in the crisis, and now the explosive misinformation about Sharia law that threatened to inflame religious tensions in the South-West region. Mrs. Alamu’s statement serves as both a clarification and a cry for help — one that places the responsibility for truth and action squarely on government shoulders. As the standoff continues, all eyes remain on the security forces and the presidency. For the families of the abducted children and teachers, every hour feels like an eternity. One thing is now clear: the real demand is not about religion or ideology. It is about prisoners — and the government must decide whether to negotiate, raid, or risk further loss of innocent lives.

Vice Principal Mrs. Folawe Alamu, kidnapped along with Oyo schoolchildren, releases a video debunking claims that her captors demand Sharia law. She says the kidnappers only want their members released

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“Sharia Law Demand is False” — Kidnapped Oyo Vice Principal Reveals Real Condition for Release

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigeria Reschedules Evacuation Flight for Citizens From South Africa

The Federal Government has rescheduled the airlifting of the first batch of Nigerian citizens willing to return home from South Africa, following recent reports of renewed xenophobic attacks targeting Black foreign nationals in parts of the country.

The announcement was made on Monday by Kimiebi Ebienfa, spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who said the evacuation exercise initially planned for Monday has now been shifted to Wednesday due to logistical and operational considerations.

According to the ministry, President Bola Tinubu has approved five evacuation flights to be operated by Nigerian carrier Air Peace, as part of efforts to safely repatriate citizens who have expressed interest in returning home.

Ebienfa explained that the first flight is expected to convey about 270 Nigerian returnees from Johannesburg, while additional flights will follow in subsequent batches until all registered citizens are evacuated.

He also confirmed that the ongoing screening and verification of Nigerians willing to return has been extended to Wednesday to allow more affected persons to be captured in the process.

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“So far, more than 500 persons have been screened and cleared,” he said, adding that the extension was necessary to ensure that all eligible returnees are properly documented before departure.

Officials said the screening exercise is being coordinated by Nigeria’s diplomatic mission in Pretoria in collaboration with South African authorities and relevant international agencies to ensure a smooth evacuation process.

The Federal Government’s decision comes amid renewed concern over xenophobic violence in South Africa, where reports of attacks on foreign nationals have triggered fear among migrant communities and prompted several African countries to take protective measures for their citizens.

Nigeria had earlier opened registration for citizens willing to return home following the unrest, with over 1,000 Nigerians reportedly indicating interest in voluntary repatriation due to safety concerns, harassment, and insecurity in affected areas.

The government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safe return of all Nigerians who wish to leave, while continuing diplomatic engagement with South African authorities over the protection of foreign nationals.

Authorities also noted that all necessary permits and clearances for the evacuation flights are being secured to avoid delays, with the first aircraft expected to depart Johannesburg in the evening of the revised date.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured that updates will be provided as the evacuation exercise progresses.

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigeria Reschedules Evacuation Flight for Citizens From South Africa