The National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations, NACOMYO, has issued a strong condemnation against individuals attempting to justify terrorism, kidnapping, and murder under the guise of Sharia law. The group emphasized that such acts are considered grave sins in Islam and are fundamentally opposed to the true principles of Sharia.
Dawood Afolabi, the Oyo State Coordinator of NACOMYO, released a statement on Saturday addressing the recent claims by kidnappers who demanded the implementation of Sharia law as a condition for freeing abducted students and teachers in Oyo State. He described these demands as deceptive and criminal, noting that they grossly misrepresent the core values of Islam.
The incident, which occurred last month, involved the abduction of 39 students and seven teachers from communities in Oriire Local Government Area. Following this, rumors circulated that the kidnappers were seeking Sharia implementation to secure the release of the hostages.
Afolabi stressed that those responsible for these heinous acts have no religious, moral, or legal standing to speak for Islam or Nigerian Muslims. He reiterated that terrorism, kidnapping, murder, and intimidation of innocent civilians are serious offenses in Islam and stand in direct opposition to the objectives of Sharia law.
Citing Islamic teachings, Afolabi quoted the Holy Qur’an, which teaches that killing an innocent person is akin to killing all of humanity, while saving a life is like saving all of humanity. He pointed out that under Islamic jurisprudence, crimes such as armed robbery, terrorism, kidnapping, and spreading fear are among the most severe offenses because they threaten public safety and social order. These crimes attract harsh penalties under established legal processes aimed at protecting society and ensuring justice.
NACOMYO also called on government authorities to enhance intelligence gathering and bolster security around educational institutions. They urged security agencies to arrest and prosecute perpetrators and their collaborators without delay. Additionally, Afolabi appealed to religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society groups, and the media to promote peaceful coexistence and interfaith harmony, and to resist attempts by criminals to exploit religion for destructive purposes.