MURIC urges Amotekun and OPC to address abductions in the South‑West.

Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has urged governors in the South‑West region to immediately empower Western Nigeria Security Network, also known as Amotekun, the Odu’a Peoples Congress (OPC), and other local security forces without further delay.

MURIC said that such action is essential to address the rising rate of kidnappings and other violent crimes in the area.

Professor Ishaq Akintola, Executive Director of MURIC, issued the statement on Friday.

According to DAILY POST, the region has experienced a series of kidnappings and other social problems in recent weeks.

The most recent incident involved the abduction of 39 students and seven teachers in several communities within Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

Akintola called on South‑West governors to urgently empower and equip operatives of Amotekun, OPC, and other local security bodies to address these challenges.

He cautioned that the people of the region should not wait until the threat escalates before taking action.

He also urged that additional personnel be recruited into the Amotekun Corps to improve service delivery.

“MURIC advises South‑West governments to prepare vigilante groups as first responders. Groups such as the Oduduwa Peoples Congress (OPC) and Iru Ekun should be empowered to halt the advance of bandits,” Akintola said.

“More personnel should be recruited into the Amotekun Corps for effectiveness.”

“MURIC charges Yoruba Muslims to take inspiration from the Glorious Qur’an on the need to confront bandits. In a rare manifestation of battlefield emboldenment, the Glorious Qur’an assures us that our enemies are mere mortals who feel what we feel. They also can sustain injuries and feel pain just as you can sustain injuries and feel pain (3:140).”

“Emboldening us further, the Glorious Qur’an says, ‘And do not weaken in pursuing the enemy. If you are suffering, they are suffering as you are suffering; but you hope from Allah that which they do not hope for. And Allah is Ever‑Knowing, All‑Wise.’ (4:104)

“We encourage Yoruba Christians to replicate this approach to criminality in the region. Bandits have a field day when we turn and run. But they don’t like confrontation. We must therefore meet their force with force, bullet for bullet, stratagem for stratagem. There must be balance of terror if we are going to succeed in stopping these hoodlums,” MURIC said in the statement.