Gunmen abduct Chief Imam in Edo

Unidentified gunmen have abducted Sheikh Murtadho Muhammad, the Chief Imam of Uromi and President of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) for the Edo-Delta region.

The shocking incident occurred around 2 p.m. on Sunday near his residence in the Angle 90 area of Uromi, located in Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Eyewitnesses say the respected Islamic cleric had just concluded one of his daily prayers and stepped out to buy food for his family when he was suddenly ambushed and forcefully taken away by the armed assailants.

Speaking on the incident,  Abdulazeez Igbinidu, Chairman of the Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), denounced the abduction in strong terms.

He said the act was both shameful and unacceptable, urging those responsible to release the cleric without delay or conditions.

“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.

Igbinidu also appealed to the Edo State Government to take decisive action to safeguard citizens and ensure the Imam’s safe return.
“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 the two eyes closed and work freely without fear of kidnapping or assassination,” he said.

A family member said that the kidnappers have made contact and are demanding a ransom of N30 million.

The incident has raised alarm within the Muslim community, particularly due to the Imam’s prominent status and commitment to youth development.

Efforts to reach the Edo State Police Command for confirmation proved unsuccessful, as calls and text messages to the spokesperson, CSP Moses Yamu, went unanswered.