Oyo Muslims seek divine intervention for abducted pupils, teachers

Muslim leaders in Oyo State on Sunday called on the faithful to strengthen their faith and patriotism in efforts to overcome the security challenges confronting the state and the nation.

They stressed the power of God to deliver societies from hardship and restore peace during a special prayer session organised by the Muslim Community of Oyo State (MUSCOYS) and the League of Imams and Alfas of Oyo State for the abducted pupils and teachers from schools in Oriire Local Government Area.

The prayer session, held at the Ibadan Central Praying Ground, Yidi, Agodi-Gate, was led by the Chief Imam of Ibadanland, Sheikh Abdul-Ganiyy Abubakar Agbotomokekere.

The event drew Chief Imams from the 11 local government areas in Ibadan and beyond, prominent Muslim personalities, leaders of Muslim organisations, as well as representatives of the Hausa and Nupe communities in the state.

Delivering a lecture at the event, Islamic scholar and preacher, Alhaji Muhyideen Abdul-Kareem Onihantu, said the security challenges facing the South West and Nigeria as a whole could only be overcome through a united effort by government and citizens.

According to him, prayers for the peace and security of the nation would yield greater results when accompanied by faith in God, unity and cooperation with the authorities.

The Grand Mufti of Ibadanland, Alhaji Abdul-Bari Adetunji, said the prayer gathering was organised to seek divine protection against terrorism, kidnapping and other forms of insecurity in Oyo State and across Nigeria.

He said: “The Federal Government and the Oyo State government are trying their best, but above all, we must turn to God because He is the One who brings hardship and grants relief. We pray that He grants us peace and ease in Oyo State and Nigeria.

“We ask God to expose these terrorists and their collaborators and hand them over to the authorities. We pray for the safe return of the abducted children and teachers.

“He allowed the successful rescue of the sister and nephews of Adebayo Adelabu. We beseech Him to do the same for our kidnapped children and their teachers.

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“We understand that the desire to secure the victims’ freedom alive and unharmed may be responsible for the cautious approach being adopted by government and security agencies. We pray that these efforts will soon yield positive results.”

The Secretary-General of the Muslim Community of Oyo State, Alhaji Murisiku Siyanbade, described the abduction in Oriire Local Government Area as deeply disturbing.

He expressed concern over the spread of banditry from northern parts of the country to the South-West, noting that the Ogbomoso abduction had heightened fears across the region.

“This gathering is to seek the face of Allah and ask Him to free these innocent children and their teachers. We understand that some of the victims are as young as two years old and are being held under harsh conditions.

“Some of the adult victims may also have health challenges and could be growing weaker by the day. We are here to ask Allah for their speedy and safe release.

“We want these ugly incidents to stop, and we believe that with the calibre of people gathered here today, Allah will answer our prayers. Very soon, we hope to hear that all the abductees have regained their freedom and that those responsible have been brought to justice. We pray that this marks the end of such criminal activities,” Siyanbade, who also represented MUSCOYS chairman, Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni, said.

Among other notable Muslim personalities present were Personal Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde, Alhaji Akeem Azeez; Alhaji Rasheed Olawoore (Omo Oku Orun); the National President of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Tajudeen Mustapha; the National Secretary-General of the National Council of Muslim Youth Organisations (NACOMYO), Alhaji Mas’ud Akintola; the Oyo State missioner of Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, Dr Bashir Elesinmeta; and the state missioner of Nasrul-Lahi-l-Fatih Society (NASFAT), Sheikh Sa’adudeen Adekilekun.