The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has strongly rejected reports alleging that kidnappers of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State demanded the implementation of Shari’ah in the South-West as part of conditions for the release of their captives, described the claim as false and a deliberate attempt to malign Islam.
In a statement issued on Monday, June 8, 2026, and signed by its Executive Director, Ishaq Akintola, the Islamic human rights organisation maintained that Nigerian Muslims have no connection with criminal groups such as kidnappers, bandits, Boko Haram insurgents and other terrorists.
According to MURIC, the alleged demand for Shari’ah by the kidnappers was fabricated by individuals within the negotiation process who are opposed to Islam and aimed at portraying the religion in a negative light.
The group alleged that some Christian leaders and what it described as “enemies of Islam” were behind the claim, insisting that the report was designed to undermine the long-standing agitation by Yoruba Muslims for the establishment of Shari’ah Courts in the South-West.
MURIC further claimed that it could not rule out the involvement of the administration of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, in what it termed an attempt to associate Shari’ah with criminality. The organisation argued that the governor’s past opposition to the establishment of Shari’ah in the state made such a possibility conceivable.
The organisation, however, reiterated that its campaign for the establishment of Shari’ah Courts in the South-West remains constitutional, peaceful and legitimate. It maintained that Muslims in the region are entitled to access Shari’ah Courts under the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and that denying them such access amounts to a violation of their religious rights.
While defending the demand for Shari’ah Courts, MURIC unequivocally condemned the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, describing the act as barbaric, criminal and inconsistent with Islamic teachings.
The group stressed that kidnappers and bandits could not speak on behalf of Muslims or make demands relating to Islam, arguing that testimonies from kidnapping victims and findings from security operations have often indicated that such criminal groups do not practice Islamic principles.
MURIC cited reports from former captives and security agencies which, it said, revealed the presence of alcohol, condoms and other items inconsistent with Islamic teachings in kidnappers’ camps, insisting that such evidence contradicts any claim that the criminals are motivated by Islam or are advocates of Shari’ah.
The organisation therefore urged Nigerians to disregard the alleged demand, maintaining that it was a calculated attempt to discredit Islam and suppress the campaign for Shari’ah in the South-West.
MURIC concluded by reaffirming its commitment to pursuing the establishment of Shari’ah Courts through lawful, democratic and constitutional means while continuing to condemn all forms of criminality and violence.
