The Chief Imam of Uromi and President of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, MSSN, Edo-Delta Chapter, Sheikh Murtadho Muhammad, has been reportedly kidnapped by unknown gunmen.

The incident occurred at about 2 p.m. on Sunday at the Angle 90 area of Uromi, in Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo

Eyewitnesses said the Islamic cleric was abducted shortly after observing one of the daily prayers.

He had reportedly stepped out to buy food for his family when he was forcefully taken away near his residence.

Confirming the incident to newsmen, the Chairman of the Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Alhaji Abdulazeez Igbinidu, described the act as inglorious and unacceptable.

He strongly condemned the abduction and called for the immediate and unconditional 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 the two eyes closed and work freely without fear of kidnapping or assassination,” he said.

A family source said 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.

All efforts to get the confirmation of the Police Command in Edo yielded no result as its spokesperson, CSP Moses Yamu neither picked calls nor replied to a text message.

Operatives of the Nasarawa State Police have arrested two suspected armed robbers and recovered a stolen Toyota Corolla.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Ramhan Nansel, in a statement explained that were arrested around 3am on Saturday, while attempting to escape with the vehicle.

He gave the names of the suspects as Basiru Lawal of Rogo Local Government Area in Kano State and Dahiru Mohammed of Shinge Quarters, Lafia.

According to the statement, “The duo were said to have earlier invaded a residence at Shinge by Railway Quarters, where they allegedly stole the Toyota Corolla with registration number GRU 106 AE, as well as a Jincheng motorcycle.”

Following the development, Nansel explained that the officers from ‘B’ Division responded swiftly after receiving a distress call about an ongoing armed robbery at the residence of one (name withheld), located at Shinge by Railway Quarters in Lafia.

The robbers, the statement said, operated as a gang and had fled the scene with the stolen items before the police launched a manhunt, stressing that acting on intelligence, they were intercepted and two suspects, Basiru Lawal and Dahiru Mohammed, arrested at Jibo Filling Station along Jos Road, Lafia, in possession of the stolen Toyota Corolla.

The spokesperson said efforts were ongoing to track down the fleeing gang members and recover the missing motorcycle, assuring that the suspects will be charged to court after investigation.

Nansel promised that the police would not relent in its duty to protect lives and property, describing the operation as “yet another breakthrough in the Command’s relentless fight against crime.”

The National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, has commended the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, for its initiative to establish daily functional emergency response centres aimed at addressing school-related emergencies across the country.

A press statement issued from the office of the Chief Press Secretary to NANS President, Michael Oyewole stated that the initiative, School Protection Squad, SPS, under the supervision of CP Abayomi Shogunle as its national coordinator, is a
demonstration of commitment to safeguarding the lives of students, teachers, and educational infrastructure.

“The establishment of these emergency centres, coupled with the deployment of the Schools Protection Squad, marks a significant step toward addressing security challenges such as kidnappings and violence targeting schools, which have disrupted education and instilled fear in communities.

“NANS applauds the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to ensuring that schools remain sanctuaries of learning and growth.”he stated.

Thestatement explained that NANS President, Olushola Oladoja, appreciates the collaborative approach adopted by the NPF, which involves partnerships with other security agencies, educational institutions, community leaders, and stakeholders.

He said the synergy among other security agencies is crucial for fostering a proactive rather than reactive approach to school safety, noting that the integration of modern technologies, such as CCTV cameras and surveillance drones, further underscores the forward thinking nature of the initiative.

The NANS Leadership under Oladoja used the medium to call on all Nigerian students to take full advantage of the initiative for their personal and collective security.

He hinted that the 24 hours emergency response centres are accessible through the dedicated line 08077357777, which according to him provides a vital resource for reporting emergencies and ensuring swift responses to threats.

According to the press statement, the NANS President urged students to stay vigilant, report suspicious activities, and actively participate in sensitization programmes organized by the NPF to promote safety awareness and prevent crime.

“NANS encourages students to collaborate with security agencies, school authorities, and community leaders to strengthen the security framework around educational institutions. By embracing this initiative, students can contribute to creating safer learning environments and reducing the incidence of out-of-school children, thereby advancing Nigeria’s human capital development.

“NANS remains committed to supporting initiatives that enhance the welfare and security of students nationwide and will continue to advocate for policies that uphold the right to safe and uninterrupted education.the press statement added.