Activist and Controversial Personality, Verydarkman has voiced strong concerns over the conditions reportedly set by the armed group responsible for abducting 45 schoolchildren and seven teachers in Oyo State.
Earlier reports indicated that one teacher was killed during the attack on the schools, while another reportedly lost their life while being held captive.
Fresh reports now suggest that the kidnappers have presented a list of demands they want met before releasing those in their custody.
Among the conditions allegedly outlined by the terrorists are the payment of ₦1 billion into a bank account located in the Benin Republic, the release of suspected terrorists currently detained at Agodi and Abolongo Prisons, the provision of two Hilux vehicles, and amendments to Oyo State legislation to make Sharia law enforceable.
Reacting to the reported demands, VDM said the inclusion of Sharia law raises serious concerns and could further fuel long-standing fears among some Nigerians about an alleged agenda to Islamise the country.
He explained:
“This demand from these terrorists, especially the part of Sharia law, goes further to strengthen what has been on the lips of a lot of people, that there’s an agenda to Islamise Nigeria.”
The commentator also drew attention to the historical campaigns of Usman Dan Fodio, noting that some people believe certain extremist groups operating today see themselves as continuing a similar mission of expanding Islam across Nigeria.
Despite this, VDM maintained that the overwhelming majority of Nigerian Muslims would reject the ideology and methods of such terrorist organisations.
He stated: “Even if there’s an agenda to Islamise Nigeria, 80 per cent of Muslims in Nigeria will not be part of this doctrine of these terrorists.”
VDM further argued that terrorist groups such as Boko Haram have inflicted greater casualties on Muslim communities than on Christians over the years.
He said: “Do you know that these terrorists have claimed more Muslim lives than Christians? Go and do your research. States like Borno, Katsina, Zamfara, all Muslim states, have suffered the most.”
According to him, extremist groups often subject abducted Muslims to questioning about their faith and may execute those they consider not to be practising the “correct” version of Islam. He suggested that, in some instances, Christians may stand a better chance of surviving such encounters.
The social commentator also expressed alarm over what he described as the growing influence and operational capacity of terrorist groups across the country.
He warned: “Every day these people are gaining strength. What is the government doing about it? Because if nothing is done, this agenda will continue to spread.
“What do they mean by sending one billion naira to Benin Republic? Is the government there part of this whole thing? Do you know what it means to be confident enough to send money to another state?”
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