The National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations has warned Muslims that terrorism, kidnapping, murder, and the intimidation of innocent citizens are grave sins in Islam.
The council noted that crimes like terrorism, kidnapping and murder already have state-prescribed severe punishments under established legal processes in Nigerian society.
NACOMYO gave the warning in a statement while reacting to the purported demand by terrorists seeking the implementation of Shariah Law as a condition for the release of abducted students and teachers in Oyo State.
Recall that 39 students and seven teachers were kidnapped in some communities in Oriire Local Government Area last month. A rumour surfaced recently that the kidnappers allegedly demanded the implementation of Shariah law as a condition for the release of the abducted students and teachers.
The NACOMYO Coordinator in Oyo State, Dawood Afolabi, described the demand allegedly made by the kidnappers as deceptive, criminal, and a gross misrepresentation of the true essence of Islam and Shariah.
Afolabi insisted that perpetrators of these heinous acts have no religious, moral, or legal authority to speak on behalf of Islam or Nigerian Muslims.
He said that terrorism, kidnapping, murder, and the intimidation of innocent citizens stand in direct opposition to the objectives and values of Shariah law.
“The perpetrators of these heinous acts have no religious, moral, or legal authority to speak on behalf of Islam or Nigerian Muslims. The council stressed that terrorism, kidnapping, murder, and the intimidation of innocent people are grave sins in Islam and stand in direct opposition to the objectives and values of Shariah Law,” the statement read.
“Those who abduct innocent students and teachers and seek to negotiate with human lives in the name of Shariah are enemies of the very law they claim to advocate. Islam unequivocally denounces oppression and transgression. The Holy Qur’an teaches that whoever kills an innocent soul unjustly, it is as though he has killed all mankind, while whoever saves a life, it is as though he has saved all mankind.”
“Under Islamic jurisprudence, crimes such as armed robbery, terrorism, kidnapping, and spreading fear and insecurity among the populace are among the gravest offences because they threaten public safety and social order. Such acts attract severe punishments under established legal processes aimed at protecting society, deterring criminality, and ensuring justice for victims.”
Afolabi also urged the government at all levels to strengthen intelligence gathering and improve security around educational institutions. He suggested that security agencies should ensure that perpetrators of evil acts and their collaborators are arrested and prosecuted without delay.
He appealed to religious leaders, traditional rulers, civil society groups, and the media to continue to promote peaceful coexistence and interfaith harmony and resist attempts by criminals to exploit religion for destructive purposes.
