The Muslim community in Oyo State has formally rejected demands by terrorists to implement Sharia-related law as a condition for releasing dozens of kidnapped school children and teachers, declaring that the abductors “do not represent Islamic values” .

The rejection, announced on June 5, 2026, came after the terrorists who attacked three schools in Oriire Local Government Area on May 16, 2026, listed the implementation of Sharia law among their conditions for freeing the captives . The abductors also demanded the release of detained terrorist commanders, a ransom payment, and two Hilux vehicles .

The Muslim Community of Oyo State, in a statement signed by Chairman Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni and Secretary-General Alhaji Murisiku Abidemi Siyanbade, said Islam “strictly forbids kidnapping, terrorism, and the extortion of innocent citizens.

“Legitimate Sharia promotes justice, peace and the sanctity of human life, values that stand in direct opposition to the activities of criminal groups.

“Terrorists do not represent Islamic values and cannot speak for Muslims,” the statement read

The community announced a special prayer for the safe return of the abductees, scheduled for Sunday at Yidi Agodi Praying Ground in Ibadan, to be led by the Grand Chief Imam of Oyo State, Sheikh Al-Imam Abdul-Ganiyy Abubakar Agbotomokekere .

Among the captives are “toddlers as young as 2 years old, exposed to very cruel treatment in the forests, in such a harsh condition,” the statement added .

The development has intensified the broader legal and political battle over Sharia arbitration panels in the South-West, a region historically known for religious coexistence.

The push for Sharia panels has gained judicial traction. On May 17, 2026, the Qadi of the Shari’ah Court of Appeal in Kwara State, Justice Abdurraheem Sayi, declared that Muslims do not require government approval to establish such tribunals .

“Nobody needs the approval of the Federal Government to operate it,” Sayi said at a University of Lagos Muslim Alumni lecture. As powerful as the President is, his authority does not extend to approving the Constitution of an arbitration panel. It is purely contractual,” they said

Citing the Arbitration and Mediation Act, Sayi argued that High Court judges in Lagos have already referred cases to Independent Shari’ah panels, admitting they were “helpless” to intervene in certain religious-based family matters .

The debate has entered the political arena ahead of the 2027 elections. In January 2026, former Minister of Communications Adebayo Shittu announced he would introduce Sharia law if elected governor of Oyo State, provided the people demand it .

“How does Sharia law, if institutionalised, affect you as a Christian?” Shittu asked during a podcast interview, dismissing critics as “intolerant” .

Hardline rhetoric has further inflamed tensions. In May 2026, the Mufti of Iwo, Sheikh Daood Imran Molaasan, appeared in a viral video urging Muslims to physically assault opponents of Sharia councils .

“We will beat whoever opposes Shariah law in Oyo,” Molaasan said in Yoruba, adding secessionist threats: “Even if Yoruba land secedes from Nigeria, we will still demand Shariah law” .

The crisis traces to December 2024, when the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, called for formalizing Sharia law in the region. A planned Sharia court inauguration in Oyo Town, scheduled for January 11, 2025, was suspended indefinitely following widespread backlash.

The current conflict has since shifted from street protests to courtrooms and political campaigns.