Nigeria’s Muslim umbrella body, Jama’tu Nasril Islam (JNI), has issued an impassioned tribute to Professor, A. M. Falaki, who was killed in a recent battle between the Nigerian military and the northern extremist group, Boko Haram.

While referring to the deceased as an “unassuming renowned Professor of Agronomy of international repute,” JNI in the press release signed by its Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, expressed suspicions about what it referred to as the “murder” of the scholar.

The statement issued yesterday in Kaduna reads in part: “After following all the events that ensued after his murder, JNI strongly believes that there is more than meets the eye. Why is Islamic dressing and or appearance now synonymous to being a Boko Haram suspect? Why are eminent Muslims always the targets, despite evidences beyond doubts that they are not Boko Haram suspects? It is no longer news that many prominent Muslim scholars have either been quizzed by the DSS, in some cases detained in the name of Boko Haram kingpins? A case in point is that of Sheikh Muhammad Yunus Nazeif of Kogi State University, still in DSS custody. More worrisome is the fact that some Muslim scholars have been killed by unknown persons suspected to be Boko Haram members, yet nothing concretely seems to have been done to address this agony and impunity bedeviling the Muslim Ummah.”

JNI also expressed its displeasure over the “unwanted” loss of lives and properties in several northern communities in the Nigerian military’s attack on Boko Haram, and alleged that several mosques were either attacked or destroyed, while house were burnt.

“Why must this be allowed to continue unabated for several months?” JNI asked in the press release.

While imploring professor Falaki’s alma mater and employers to investigate properly the circumstances of his death, JNI sued for calm, perseverance and prayer amongst Muslims.

Jama’atu Nasril Islam (Society for the Support of Islam) is an umbrella group for the Muslim community in Nigeria. The organisation is based in the city of Kaduna, and its president is the Sultan of Sokoto. The organisation conducts Islamic education and missionary work in the region, and has had particular success amongst recent converts from the Igbo tribe.

•Photo shows late Prof A. M. Falaki.