Mufti of Iwo, Sheikh Daood Imran Molaasan, has urged Muslims to beat up anybody in Oyo State who opposes the establishment of a Shariah Council.

In a social media video, Molaasan, who spoke in Yoruba at an event, stated that the move to implement Shariah law in Yorubaland is backed by the Constitution.

“My response to the people of Oyo State who say they don’t want to hear anything concerning Muslims establishing Shariah law in the state, your mother is not capable of stopping it. My brothers, tell them that they are mad.

“Go to your Ogun shrine or wherever you worship your oracles and hold your discussions there. If you come out to meet us, we will beat you. You are mad,” he said.

He, however, stated that the move for Shariah is not aimed at imposing it on everyone in the state.

“We never claim to want to impose Shariah on you all. We only want to make use of Shariah as enshrined in the constitution of Nigeria, when we both agreed to live as one,” he said.

The Guardian reported that the Supreme Council of Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) had pushed for the inauguration of an Independent Sharia Arbitration Panel in Oyo State.

The event had been slated for January 11, 2025, but was suspended following a pushback from youths in the Southwest after sighting a flyer for the event with the caption, ‘Inauguration Ceremony of Sharia Court in Oyo Town and Its Environs.’

According to the youths, Sharia will be of no benefit to the secularism of the Southwest, adding that it has in no way benefited the north, where it is practised.

However, the Mufti of Iwo urged Muslims to proceed with selecting a new date for establishing a Shariah council in the state.

He said, “Even if Yoruba land secedes from Nigeria, we will still demand Shariah law. You all have customary courts. Whatever law Ogun and Esulalu prescribe, go and implement it there.

“My brothers in Oyo State, if they don’t pick another date for the launch of Shariah Council in Oyo State, pick your own date and go launch it. Inform lawyers and write to the police. Whoever proves to be too strong for the police to handle on that day, go ahead and deal with such a person. Also, expect a Shariah Council in Osun State.”