The Muslim Community of Oyo State has strongly condemned the attack on a Muslim woman, Hajia Shukuroh Olapade, who was wearing a Niqab (veil) at Oje Market in Ibadan on May 21, 2025.
The community described the attack as “barbaric” and “a serious breach of the dignity of womanhood.”
In a press statement signed by Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni (Chairman) and Alhaji Murisiku Abidemi Siyanbade (Secretary-General), the Muslim Community alleged that the attack was an orchestrated plan by enemies of Islam to unleash crisis and accused some anti-Islamic groups of clandestinely stoking crisis and using the press and public opinion to blame Muslims.
The community called on governments and security agencies to identify the perpetrators, unravel their grand plan, and nip the crisis in the bud.
They also urged the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to refrain from being deployed as an instrument towards attaining this nefarious intent to cause a major religious disharmony.
The Muslim Community emphasized their commitment to peaceful coexistence and harmonious relationships with other religious groups, citing the Quranic verse “Your faith directs you to one way and mine, to another” (Q109:6). However, they warned against allowing societal devils to infiltrate their ranks and cause evil.
The community’s call for action highlights the need for proactive measures to prevent escalation and promote interfaith understanding and respect.
The statement read in full:
MUSLIM COMMUNITY OF OYO STATE, NIGERIA
Press Statement – Saturday, 31st May, 2025
ATTACK ON ‘ELEHA’ AT OJE IBADAN: GOVTS AND SECURITY AGENCIES SHOULD TAKE PRO-ACTIVE STEPS TO AVOID ESCALATION – DON’T EXONERATE C.A.N.
Attack on a Muslim sister, Hajia Shukuroh Olapade on Wednesday 21st May, 2025, adorning Niqab, in line with the regulations of Islam, is an orchestrated plan by enemies of Islam, to unleash crisis, where there is none.
That was a very barbaric action. How can someone just imagine in his head that a woman is walking like a man and immediately suspect the person behind the clothe is a kidnapper?. As if we were still in stone age, the woman was savagely and crudely stripped naked. A very serious breach of the dignity of woman-hood.
After discovering that the person attacked was a woman, they still went on with the attack. So barbaric!
It is a known fact, the knack for some anti-Islam body/ies to clandestinely stoke crisis and go for cover. When Muslims now react, they then go for the kill. They ignite tension through the instrumentality of the Press and the court of public opinion. The Muslims are then perceived as the law-breakers. We know their strategy. They had employed such approach before, It will never work again.
A similar event was reported to have taken place at ljora, in Lagos, shortly before the Ibadan incident.
This is ISLAMOPHOBIA of the highest order!
The Muslim Community is in the vanguard for a peaceful society where harmonious and religious co-existence.
When Muslims now start defending ‘Elehas’ that are attacked in such manner and there is counter reprisal, they then place the blame at the doorstep of Muslims.
Let us remember the recent brouhaha against the inauguration of a Shari’ah Arbitration Panel in Oyo town. A Panel that has existed in Kishi, Saki and Ibadan, in some cases, since over thirty years.
ago, and which is just for arbitration between willing Muslims, who only subject themselves to the laws of Islam, to a mere panel that has no power of enforcement.
It is unfathomable how this affects non-Muslims.
This attack on Muslim women in Niqab (Eleha) could be another ploy to whip public opinion against anything Islam, linking it to the erstwhile misunderstanding of the Shari’ah Arbitratation Panel.
Why is it that some non-Muslim groups and organisations in Yorubabaland just find it difficult to come to the realisation that Islam will survive and we shall co-exist. Allah says in the Holy Qur’an:
“They wish to extinguish Allah’s light with their mouths, but Allah will certainly perfect His light, even to the dismay of disbeleivers” – Q61:8
We hereby call on
Governments; Directors of DSS and; Heads of other Security Agencies, to:
1. Identify the perpetrators;
2. Unravel their grand plan and,
3. Nip the crisis in the bud.
We equally urge the Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN), to refrain from being deployed as an instrument towards attaining this nefarious intent to cause a major religious disharmony.
Allah says in the Holy Qur’an:
“Your faith directs you to one way and mine, to another” – Q109:6
Thus, on issues of faith, we have different systems. On social and co-existential issues, we can work together. However, we should refrain from allowing societal devils from infiltrating our ranks to cause evil.
Therefore, the searchlight for averting the crisis being orchestrated, should also be beamed to the doorsteps of CAN, in order to ensure we are not chasing shadows.
Alhaji Ishaq Kunle Sanni
CHAIRMAN
Alhaji Murisiku Abidemi Siyanbade
SECRETARY – GENERAL
