Umbrella body of Nigerian Muslims, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has condemned recent attacks by terrorist groups Boko Haram and Ombatse, describing them as heinous. JNI in a statement issued today in Kaduna by its Secretary General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, urged the federal Government to wake up to its constitutional duty to protect the country and its citizens. The statement reads:

“Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) once again received with great shock and deep concern the news of incessant killings and maiming of innocent people and the destruction of public and private properties purportedly by the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents. Of particular concern are the brutal murder of young children in their school premises in Potiskum on 11th November and the murder of a prominent Muslim Scholar and his associates in Nafada Town on Tuesday 4th November. It is indeed alarming that in a matter of only two weeks, eight deadly attacks were unleashed on seven Towns in four States of the Federation as follows:- Mubi Town on 30th October, Gombe Motor Park on 31st October, Potiskum Town on 3rd November (Ashura day), Nafada Town on 4th November, Ashaka Explosives Depot on 5th November, Maiha Town on 10th November, Potiskum School on 11th November and Kontagora Federal College of Education on 12th November, 2014.

“Unfortunately, on Saturday, 15th November, 2014, a devastating attack was reported in Hotoro-Kano State, came another report same Saturday, 15th November, 2014, that the ethnic chauvinist group-Ombatse attacked the Palace of the Emir of Lafia, the JNI Vice President-General (VPG) Nasarawa State, leading to the deaths of many innocent lives. Again on Sunday, 16th November, 2014, came another report of attacks in Azare, Bauchi State. As if these weren’t enough to them, Mafa Local Government of Borno State was ransacked on Thursday, 20th November, 2014, for several hours unabated.

“JNI condemns these heinous attacks in the strongest terms and once again calls on the Federal Government of Nigeria, with the loudest voice, to wake up to its fundamental and obligatory responsibility of protecting lives and properties of Nigerians; especially in the North East where the insurgency is most endemic. The Government should act fast and stop wallowing in diatribe, 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 in the taking over of towns and villages by the insurgents, as portending a grave danger to the Nation. Nigeria’s sovereignty has been threatened as a so called “Islamic Caliphate” has been curved out of her by the insurgents. An unfortunate, worrisome and embarrassing dimension has recently been added to the scenarios – that of the way soldiers take to their heels and abandon their bases, arms, ammunition and other military hardware on the approach of the insurgents! It is sad and an unfortunate fact that Nigerian Security Forces only surface after the deadly attacks and terrorise an already terrorised people by installing road blocks and searching homes and business premises. Thousands of innocent citizens have lost their lives. Thousands have been abducted, the males forced into insurgency and the females into slavery. Thousands more are wallowing in Internally Displaced Persons Camps in Nigeria and in Refugee Camps in neighbouring countries. Trillions of Naira worth of infrastructure and public and private properties have been destroyed.

In the light of all these distasteful developments, JNI is forced to ask the following questions:- Where withered the Nigerian Army of the 1967-69 civil war? Where are the heroes of international peace keepings? When will the Government bring an end to this scourge? Does the Government really have the capability, capacity, commitment and sincerity to bring an end to this insurgency and the multifarious security challenges facing the Nation?

“As has been done painfully in previous cases, JNI President-General and the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, on behalf of Nigerian Muslims, condemns these unabated acts of terror being unleashed on innocent citizens and calls for concerted introspection and sincere commitment by Government to take proactive and effective measures in addressing this pernicious problem. The Government should, as a matter of urgency, ensure that the Security Forces get all that they need for effective operations and that they serve diligently as Soldiers should. In addition, all culprits must be apprehended and brought to Justice, thus giving effect to the Laws of the land and deterring others. As an ameliorating measure, the funds collected following the launching of the Victims’ Support Fund should be supplemented with Government grants and judiciously utilised with dispatch in order to ensure that all necessary support reaches the affected victims and that destroyed infrastructures are rehabilitated. Government should also step up the dialogue process with a view to ending the insurgency and de-radicalising the insurgents.

“His Eminence the Sultan and President General of JNI, extends profound condolences to the families of the affected victims, the people and Governments of Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Kano, Niger and Yobe States, as well as all Nigerians on these sad and unfortunate events. Muslims are called upon to repent and persistently seek Almighty Allah’s forgiveness, partake in prescribed Qunut in all Mosques and continue praying for the restoration of peace and security in Nigeria. Politicians are urged to politic with caution and maturity and with all sense of responsibility, more so that the 2015 General Elections are fast approaching. Leadership is a trust from Allah and this trust is accountable to the people in this World and to Allah in the Hereafter. So, the trust must be discharged equitably and with the fear of Allah, the Lord of the Universe.”

•Photo shows JNI President-General, Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.

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