Gunmen abduct Uromi Chief Imam in broad daylight — N30m ransom demanded

 Tension has gripped the Muslim community in Edo State following the abduction of the Chief Imam of Uromi and President of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Edo-Delta Chapter, Sheikh Murtadho Muhammad, by unknown gunmen.

The incident occurred around 2 p.m. on Sunday in the Angle 90 area of Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area, shortly after the cleric had stepped out to buy food for his family. Eyewitnesses said he had just concluded one of the daily prayers when he was whisked away by his abductors near his residence.

Confirming the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Chairman of the Edo State Chapter of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Abdulazeez Igbinidu, condemned the act in strong terms, calling it “inglorious and unacceptable.”

“I am hearing that they are asking for a very big amount of money, and we don’t have such,” he said. “Even if you have, if you do such a thing, you are encouraging them.”

Alhaji Igbinidu urged the Edo State Government to step up efforts to ensure the cleric's safe and unconditional release, stressing that the protection of citizens must be a top priority.

“They are the ones that have the apparatus for security,” he said.
“So they should do everything possible to ensure that the Imam is released unconditionally and without harm.

“Government should also put up all efforts to ensure that citizens are able to sleep well with both eyes closed and move freely without fear of kidnapping or assassination,” he added.

A family source confirmed that the kidnappers have made contact and are demanding a ransom of ₦30 million.

The abduction has sent shockwaves across the state’s Muslim community, given Sheikh Murtadho’s respected dual role as a spiritual leader and a strong voice for youth development through his MSSN leadership.

As of the time of filing this report, the Edo State Police Command was yet to issue a formal statement. Multiple calls and a text message to its spokesperson, CSP Moses Yamu, went unanswered.