FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Chief Imam of Uromi and President of Muslim Students Society of Nigeria, MSSN, Edo State chapter, Sheikh Murtadho Muhammad has been reportedly kidnapped.
The cleric was abducted at Angle 90 area of Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area around 2pm.
Eyewitness revealed that Muhammad stepped out to buy food for his family near his residence shortly after he observed one of the daily prayers when he was forcefully taken away.
This development was confirmed yesterday to AljazirahNigeria by the State Chairman of Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Alhaji Abdulazeez Igbinidu.
Igbinidu condemned the inglorious act and demanded the immediate release of the Islamic leader.
“I am hearing that they are asking for a very big amount of money and we don’t have such. Even if you have, if you do such a thing, you are encouraging them,” he said.
The chairman called on the Edo State government to do everything possible to protect the ordinary citizens.
“They are the ones that have the apparatus for security. So they should do everything possible to ensure that Imam is released unconditionally and without harm.
“Government should also put up all efforts to ensure that citizens are able to sleep with their two eyes closed and work freely without fear of kidnapping or assassination,” he said.
A family source told AljazirahNigeria that the kidnappers had since reached out, demanding a ransom of N30 million.
The incident has sparked widespread concern among the Muslim community in the state, considering the abductee’s dual role as a revered religious leader and advocate for youth development.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Joel Yamu said “it was reported to us on July 10,” but could not give further details.
He, however, disclosed that efforts are ongoing to arrest the culprits and rescue the victim.
