Outraged at the alleged attacks and killings by Fulani herdsmen in some parts of the country, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III and the apex Islamic body in the North, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), have urged the Federal Government to arrest those suspected to be responsible for the violence.

Members of the JNI, in a statement yesterday, said: “JNI received with great shock and deep concern the news of incessant killings and maiming of innocent citizens and the destruction of public and private properties. Of particular concern are the brutal murder of people in Agatu, Benue State; Nnibo, Enugu State; and some parts of Nasarawa State. It is indeed alarming that within a few weeks, deadly attacks were reportedly unleashed while the perpetrators escaped un-arrested.”

According to them, “JNI therefore condemns in strong terms these repeated heinous attacks and once again calls on the relevant security agencies to put a stop to this ugly tide, as human lives are sacred and must be seen to be treated as so.

“JNI and indeed all Nigerians, view the fallout of these repeated attacks, particularly the taking up of arms against other citizens, as another trend of insecurity that portends grave danger to the nation.”

In the statement by the Secretary General of JNI, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, the group said Nigerians “must not forget so soon the adverse effect of the so-called Boko Haram group that claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people. Hundreds have been abducted, the males forced into insurgency and the females into slavery.

“Painfully, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, JNI, on behalf of Nigerian Muslims, condoles with the families of those who lost their lives.

“And sympathises with all affected victims, and also calls for concerted introspection and commitment by relevant agencies to take proactive and effective measures in addressing this pernicious problem.”

Aliyu argued that “millions more are wallowing in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Nigeria and in refugee camps in neighbouring countries. Public and private properties worth trillions of naira have been destroyed. We therefore call for a thorough investigation by appropriate agencies in order to fish out the evil perpetrators, bring them to justice and forestall re-occurrence.”

•Extracted from a Guardian report. Photo shows Sa’ad Abubakar III.

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