BENIN CITY, Nigeria (BN24) — Unknown gunmen have abducted Sheikh Murtadho Muhammad, the Chief Imam of Uromi and president of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Edo-Delta Chapter, sparking alarm across the Muslim community in southern Nigeria.
Witnesses said the cleric was kidnapped around 2 p.m. Sunday in the Angle 90 area of Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State. Sheikh Muhammad was reportedly seized shortly after performing one of the daily prayers and stepping out to buy food for his family near his residence.
Alhaji Abdulazeez Igbinidu, chairman of the Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria and condemned the abduction as “inglorious and unacceptable.”
“I am hearing that they are asking for a very big amount of money, and we don’t have such,” Igbinidu said. “Even if you have, if you do such a thing, you are encouraging them.”
He urged state authorities to act swiftly to secure Sheikh Muhammad’s safe release.
“They are the ones who have the apparatus for security,” he said. “Government should do everything possible to ensure that the Imam is released unconditionally and without harm. Citizens should be able to sleep with their eyes closed and move freely without fear of kidnapping or assassination.”
A family source told NAN that the abductors have contacted relatives to demand a ransom of ₦30 million.
The incident has heightened concern among Muslims in Edo State, as Sheikh Muhammad is regarded not only as a respected religious leader but also as an advocate for youth development in the region.
Efforts to reach the Edo State Police Command for comment were unsuccessful. Calls and messages to the command’s spokesperson, CSP Moses Yamu, were not returned as of Sunday evening.
