Suspected Kidnappers Abduct Chief Imam, MSSN President In Edo •••Demand N30m Ransom
•By Admin
BENIN – The Chief Imam of Uromi and President, Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Edo-Delta Chapter, Sheikh Murtadho Muhammad, has been reportedly kidnapped.
The cleric was said to have been abducted at the Angle 90 Area of Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of the state around 2 p.m.
Eyewitness accounts 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.
Alhaji Abdulazeez Igbinidu, Chairman, Edo chapter of Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), confirmed the incident to newsmen in Benin.
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 government to measure up and do everything possible to protect the ordinary citizens in the state.
“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 the citizens are able to sleep well with their two eyes closed and work freely without fear of kidnapping or assassination,” he said.
Reports had it that the suspected 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 both a revered religious leader and an advocate for youth development.
Police in Edo are yet to issue a statement in respect of the incident in spite of the efforts to get spokesperson of the command to speak on the incident.
•INDEPENDENTNG.