Incessant Killings : Nigerians have right to talk, Sultan tells FG

The Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar III said the Federal Government should understand that Nigerians have a right to express their feelings over the spate of killings in the country, especially in the north.

The Islamic organisation berated security agencies over what he described as a lackadaisical attitude in the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the country, saying they seemed to be overwhelmed by the problem.

JNI’s position was contained in a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Dr Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, titled ‘’Nigeria’s perilous security challenge:  Enough of condemnations, the government must take decisive action, stop the rhetoric.”

Read Also: Police confirm killing of 18 persons in Katsina bandits attack(Opens in a new browser tab)

The statement came against the backdrop of attacks on the convener of Northern Elders Forum, Prof. Ango Abdullahi and some Arewa youth groups who expressed reservations over government’s inability to stop the incessant killings in the north.

According to the statement: “The Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, under the leadership of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and JNI’s President-General, is in utter shockwave over the unfortunate repeated incidents of loss of precious lives and wanton destruction of property arising from well-coordinated attacks of armed bandits, Boko Haram terrorist groups and rapists.

‘’We implore the government to take all genuine calls, concerns so raised and recommendations proffered so far, even from perceived and/or alleged antagonists in good fate, in order to move the country on the path of glory – human security, as development in whatever guise, is utterly incomplete without security. ‘’

‘’Government should also note that citizens have a right to be listened to, over their feelings on insecurity challenge in Nigeria.  The repeated massacres of people, as well as the senseless burning of houses and livestock that do ensue in Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger states and, indeed, other states such as Adamawa, Kaduna and Taraba, should give governments and its functionaries at both federal and state levels sleepless nights.’’

The statement said,‘’ JNI also notes with dismay the lack of symbolic gestures to affected communities by those in authorities. They remain in their comfort zones as their subjects are subjected to arson and killings of the highest degree. ‘’