'Kidnappers Aren't Doing It for Islam': MURIC Fires Back at Oyo Radio Presenter, Names Real Threat

• Muslim Rights Concern has warned against the return of labelling and Islamic colouration of violent acts and terrorism by the Nigerian media.
• MURIC specifically cautioned an Ibadan-based broadcaster who repeatedly described the kidnappers of Oriire Local Government schoolchildren as Islamic jihadists
• The broadcaster, Edmund Obilo, was said to have referred to the kidnappers as Islamic jihadists during his programme, State Affairs

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has advised a popular Ibadan-based broadcaster and others in similar positions to seek adequate knowledge before speaking on issues they may not fully understand.

This followed a broadcast on State Affairs in which the host described the kidnappers of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire as Islamic jihadists.

MURIC warns against religious framing of kidnappings

Speaking through its Secretary, Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, the Oyo state chapter of MURIC reacted in a statement sent to Legit.ng correspondent on Friday, May 29:

Read also

Yinka Alaseyori seen dancing with popular politicians amid controversial advice on Oyo school kids

"While listening to State Affairs programme anchored by Edmund Obilo, I became deeply concerned by the dangerous direction of the discussion surrounding insecurity in Oyo State and parts of the South-West region."

"During the programme, references were repeatedly made to kidnappers and criminal gangs operating in parts of Oyo State as “Islamic jihadists”, with claims that they have now invaded the South-West in a bid to conquer the region and establish dominance."

"Such sweeping and emotionally charged narratives may attract public attention, but they are not only misleading; they are also capable of creating dangerous religious tension in an already fragile society."

Condemning the attacks in the Oriire Local Government axis, where teachers and pupils were abducted from schools, Agunbiade described the incident as tragic and one that every responsible citizen should oppose.

“It is indeed tragic and condemnable. Every responsible citizen must rise against such barbaric acts. However, the question that must be asked is this: since when did kidnapping schoolchildren become an Islamic mission?”

Read also

Breaking: Former chief of staff drops bombshell over insecurity in Nigeria, "We can locate bandits"

MURIC expressed concern that abducting innocent teachers and pupils has, in the eyes of some commentators, become associated with religion.

Rights group defends Muslims amid attacks

Agunbiade described such narratives as irresponsible and intellectually dishonest.

"It is irresponsible and intellectually dishonest to automatically label every violent criminal activity involving suspected Fulani bandits or kidnappers as ‘Islamic jihadist’."

“Criminality should remain criminality. Evil should be called evil without dragging religion into matters where religion itself clearly stands opposed to such actions.”

The group also noted that many victims of the attacks are Muslims, a reality it said is often ignored in public discussions.

“What makes this even more disturbing is that many of the victims of these attacks are themselves Muslims. Among the kidnapped pupils and affected families are Muslims whose lives have been shattered by these same criminals.

“So, how does one logically conclude that these kidnappers are fighting an ‘Islamic cause’ while terrorising Muslim communities and targeting Muslim children?”

MURIC calls for facts over religious stereotyping

While acknowledging the rising insecurity in Oyo and other parts of the South-West, MURIC insisted that the situation should not be framed as a religious struggle.

Read also

Abduction in Oyo: Teachers send bold message to Nigerian politicians, "You are also not safe"

“Nobody denies the seriousness of insecurity in the South-West. Communities are under pressure. Farmers are afraid. Travellers are anxious. Parents are worried."

“But solving insecurity requires facts, intelligence gathering, effective policing, and sincere governance, not religious stereotyping.”

The group argued that voices promoting peace, unity, and responsibility deserve greater attention in public discourse.

According to MURIC, media narratives that lean toward religious profiling rather than objective analysis risk inflaming ethnic and religious suspicion among citizens who have coexisted peacefully for decades.

Media should help de-escalate conflicts - Group

Agunbiade stressed that the role of the media during periods of insecurity is not merely to sensationalise fear or promote divisive assumptions.

“Journalism carries a moral burden. Broadcasters and public commentators must exercise caution in their choice of words, especially in a multi-religious and multi-ethnic society like Nigeria. Words are powerful.”

He warned media practitioners against narratives that could trigger disunity, poison public perception, and sow hatred among innocent people.

“We must avoid turning a security crisis into a religious war narrative. Once criminality is wrongly framed as a battle between religions, the real perpetrators hide behind the confusion while innocent citizens suffer discrimination and hostility.”

Read also

Oyo attacks: Nigerians react as ex-COAS Buratai finally breaks silence

DHQ identifies group behind Oyo kidnap

Previously, Legit.ng reported that the Defence Headquarters has clarified earlier statements on insecurity in the South West and linked the recent abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo state to the JAS terrorist group.

The military explained that intelligence reports indicated the group had been displaced from other regions and was attempting to regroup in parts of the South West, including areas where the Oyo school attack occurred.

Source: Legit.ng