Oyo Muslims Reject Abductors’ Sharia Demand
*Say Terrorists Cannot Speak For Them
OYO Governor, Seyi Makinde, has signed Executive Order No. 002 of 2026, aimed at strengthening security, enforcing vehicle registration regulations and improving traffic management across the state, following the spate of recent attacks and kidnappings in the state, particularly the continued captivity of teachers and pupils abducted in Oriire Local Council three weeks ago.
The Order imposed restrictions on the operations of commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as ‘Okada’ riders.
At the signing ceremony in his Office on Friday, June 5, Makinde said the Executive Order was designed to ensure strict compliance with existing laws governing vehicle registration and traffic regulations, adding that unregistered vehicles, motorcycles and tricycles had increasingly been used to carry out criminal activities within the state.
The governor noted that security agencies often encountered difficulties tracking and investigating crimes involving unregistered vehicles because of the absence of identifiable registration details, adding that the Executive Order would provide a legal framework for the strict enforcement of vehicle registration requirements and other traffic regulations, including measures against driving against traffic and related offences.
He stated that designated enforcement authorities had been empowered to arrest offenders and impound vehicles, motorcycles or tricycles found violating the provisions of the order, warning that offenders apprehended under the Order would be prosecuted, in accordance with the law, while seized assets and properties would be handled through established legal procedures.
Makinde the decision was due to lessons learnt from recent security breaches, especially the abduction of the schoolchildren and teachers, noting: “We are living through very trying times.
“For over 20 days, our teachers and pupils have remained in captivity in the hands of terrorists. Our thoughts and prayers remain with them and with their families who continue to endure unimaginable pain and uncertainty.”
The governor assured residents that his administration remained fully committed to securing the safe return of all abducted victims and was working relentlessly with relevant security agencies to achieve that objective.
He acknowledged the pain being experienced by the affected families and communities, reiterating that the abducted teachers and pupils had neither been forgotten nor abandoned, urging residents not to mistake the government’s silence for inaction.
As part of measure contained in the Executive Order, commercial motorcycle operators would no longer be permitted to operate between 10:30p.m. and 5:30 a.m.
Makinde urged residents to actively support security agencies by providing timely information on suspicious movements and activities, saying security remains a collective responsibility that requires the cooperation of all citizens.
He said: “If you see something, say something, and authorities will do something,” while reminding residents of the state’s toll-free emergency number, 615, for reporting security threats and emergencies.
He charged residents to remain vigilant, united and resilient despite the current security challenges, warning against allowing fear to undermine communal harmony and confidence, even as he commended security agencies and members of the state’s security outfit, Amotekun Corps, for their dedication, sacrifices and professionalism in responding to security threats across the state.
Meanwhile, the Muslim Community in the state has condemned the demands allegedly made by abductors of the victims, including imposition of Sharia, saying that terrorists do not represent Islamic values and cannot speak for Muslims.
In a statement on Friday, signed by Ishaq Kunle Sanni (Chairman) and Murisiku Abidemi Siyanbade (Secretary General), the community said the position was necessitated by “recent criminal acts where kidnappers attempted to justify their actions using religious rhetoric,” adding that Islam strictly forbids kidnapping, terrorism and the extortion of innocent citizens.
It stressed that legitimate Sharia advocates for justice, peace and the protection of human life, which directly contradicts the violent actions of criminals, restating its full support the efforts of law enforcement agencies and authorities to track down the perpetrators.
According to the statement: “In The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 3 verse 32, Almighty Allah says: ‘Therefore, we have ordained that, he who slays a soul for spreading mischief on earth shall be as if he had slain all mankind and he who saves a life shall be as if he had given life to all mankind. And indeed, again and again, did our messengers come to them with clear directives, yet many of them continue to commit excesses on earth.”
It charged all Muslims and residents of the state to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities and reject any attempts to distort the peaceful teachings of Islam, announcing plans to organise a special special prayer for the speedy and safe return of the abductees on on Sunday, June 7, at the Yidi Agodi Praying Ground, Ibadan, under the leadership of the Chief Imam of Ibadanland and Grand Chief Imam of Oyo State, Sheikh Al-Imam Abdul-Ganiyy Abubakar Agbotomokekere.
The terrorists have reportedly made a four demands before they will free the captives, including the release of detained terrorist commanders; payment of ransom; two Hilux vehicles; and implementation of Sharia-related law.
Unconfirmed reports say the ransom demand stands at N1billion, to be paid into a bank account in the Republic of Benin.
The two commanders are Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, or Abbas Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, alias Isah Adam or Mahmud Al-Nigeri, also called Mallam Mamuda.
Both are leaders of Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimeena Fii Bilaadis Sudan (JAMBS), also known as Ansaru, a breakaway faction of Boko Haram, also linked to the 2022 Kuje prison break.
They were arrested between May and July last year and are currently standing trial on terrorism charges since January 15, before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/464/2025.
Justice Nwite, on September 11, last year, sentence Usman to 15 years imprisonment, after he pleading guilty to one count of illegal mining, which he admitted using to fund arms procurement for terrorism and kidnapping.
He denied 31 other counts and remains in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), pending trial on those charges.
Abba pleaded not guilty to all 32 counts and is also standing trial before the same court.
