Edo: Gunmen kidnap Chief Imam of Uromi

Gunmen have abducted the Chief Imam of Uromi, Sheikh Murtadho Muhammad, who also serves as the President of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) in the Edo-Delta region.

This medium gathered that the Islamic cleric was abducted around 2pm on Sunday near his home in the Angle 90 area of Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Sheik Murtadho had just completed one of the daily prayers and was out to purchase food for his family when the gunmen struck and took him away by force.

Meanwhile, Abdulazeez Igbinidu, Chairman of the Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has condemned 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.

He 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.

Police authorities in Edo State are yet to issue an official statement in respect to the unfortunate incident.

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