Unknown gunmen have kidnapped Sheikh Murtadho Muhammad, the Chief Imam of Uromi and President of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) for Edo and Delta states. The abduction took place around 2:00 p.m. on Sunday in the Angle 90 area of Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area, Edo State.
According to eyewitnesses, the Islamic cleric had just finished observing one of the daily prayers and stepped out to buy food for his family when he was forcefully taken away near his residence.
Condemnation from Islamic Leaders
The Chairman of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Edo State chapter, Alhaji Abdulazeez Igbinidu, confirmed the incident and condemned the act in strong terms.
“This is an inglorious and unacceptable act,” he said.
“We are hearing that they are asking for a very big amount of money, and we don’t have such. Even if we did, paying ransom only encourages more of these acts.”
Government Urged to Act Swiftly
Alhaji Igbinidu called on the Edo State Government and security agencies to act immediately to ensure the safe and unconditional release of the kidnapped Imam.
“They have the security apparatus and must protect the ordinary citizens. The Imam must be released without harm,” he said.
“People should be able to sleep peacefully and walk freely without fear of being kidnapped or assassinated.”
N30 Million Ransom Demanded
A family source confirmed that the suspected kidnappers have reached out, demanding a ransom of ₦30 million for Sheikh Murtadho Muhammad’s release.
The incident has sparked serious concern across Edo State’s Muslim community, given the Imam’s prominent role both as a spiritual leader and advocate for youth development through his work with the MSSN.
Police Response Missing
Efforts to get a reaction from the Edo State Police Command were unsuccessful. The command’s spokesperson, CSP Moses Yamu, did not respond to phone calls or text messages.
Takeaway:
The abduction of Sheikh Murtadho Muhammad is another stark reminder of the worsening security challenges in Nigeria. Religious and community leaders are urging urgent government intervention to prevent further unrest and ensure the safety of citizens.
