Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), under the leadership of Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, JNI, has expresses concern over the bloodbath in Zamfara.
This is contained in a state issued by JNI and made available to daybreak.
The statement noted that “making some parts of Zamfara state a theater of dehumanisation and desecration of the sanctity of life, properties, personal liberty and communal integrity, by wanton destruction of lives and properties, as well as terrorizing communities is utterly reprehensible and unacceptable,”
It decried that hooligans and way-wards have taken hold a whole state to ransom to no avail and wondered Where is the government.
” Where are the security agencies? Where are the political, community and religious leaders? Where is our conscience? Where is the humanness in us? Above all, where is our Islam? Where is the Qur’an and its pristine teachings? Where is the Prophetic guidance in his Sunnah?
the statement further bemoaned the return of insurgency in some parts of Borno and Yobe states,which has led to wanton destruction of lives and properties.
“Why must all these bloodletting be allowed to resurface? All these re-occurring acts of terrorism, dehumanisation, sacrilege of sanctity of life and all forms of wickedness are utterly and unreservedly condemned in their entirety and government must go beyond mere condemnations” the statement read
It also noted that the carnage in Zamfara state has claimed uncountable number of lives and destruction of properties, and has continued unabated for years.
“What then is the essence of government and security outfits? We should all be reminded that, that was how Boko Haram insurgency started and it has now snowballed into a full blown security threat to the nation!
It noted that the bloodletting in Zamfara state has already spilled over to other states in the northwest.
“it, has been witnessed in Kaduna, Niger, Sokoto Kebbi and Katsina states in the name of armed banditry and kidnappings. It is so disheartening that after attacks are lunched on settlements, sporadic gun shots follow and then setting the communities ablaze”
This is very bothersome and calls for realistic investigation that must bring similar occurrence(s) to a final end. It is hardly imaginable that such pusillanimous and evil acts could still occur in Zamfara state, despite frequent assurances by government and so called security briefings said to be received, yet those charged with the responsibility of protecting the citizenry have not been able to curb the diabolical scourge of killing innocent souls. This is indeed very alarming.
However, as Muslims we find solace that Allah, The Mighty is ever watchful of the plethora of the evils of the wicked and will requite them appropriately. It should however be noted that the evil that men do lives after them, and will continue to hunt them.
Nonetheless, JNI will continue to ask questions: Who are the blood thirsty fellows? Why have they been allowed for years? Why have they not been arrested and interrogated? What has been the motive behind such repeated scandalous acts? Isn’t intelligence gathering supposed to aid security operatives and why is it not yielding the desired results? Why the renewed attacks now, just few months before the 2019 General Elections? Must innocent bloods be split before every election in Nigeria? Isn’t the government ashamed that it cannot provide statutory responsibility of providing security to its citizenry? Why have the political gladiators in Zamfara state and beyond resort to exchanging unsavory words instead of resolving the matter? Indeed there is much more than meets the eyes. Certainly, just as with discerning Nigerians, JNI has been keenly following the unfolding events in Zamfara, Borno and Yobe states, overtime; which unfortunately climax with the recent serial massacres in Maradun, Tsafe, Birnin Magaji, Maru, Baga and Kukareta, among many others.
We therefore call on Governments at all levels to do everything possible as a matter of urgency to stop these evil acts of terror repeatedly being unleashed on innocent souls and restore peace and security, which is their first constitutional role, as silence is no longer golden.
Meanwhile, we commiserate with the families of the victims of these inhuman attacks and particularly condole with the families of gallant security men that died at battle fronts, husbands and wives, parents and guardians who have lost their wards/children in these orgy and misfortunes. We pray to the Almighty Allah, to grant the deceased forgiveness and mercy, while those that sustained injuries quick recovery.
Nevertheless, as we enter into the election year, it is worthwhile to draw the attention of the political gladiators to play the game according to the rules, during their political campaigns, with decorum and peaceful means. Although, we are not oblivious of the fact, that politicians often say that there is no morality in politics, that is why it is not surprising to witness the display of sheer irresponsibility, obscenity and scurrility between political rivals, and incitement of violence at the local communities for political aggrandizement. Hate speeches and all violent tendencies should be avoided as responsible conduct of campaign is a panacea in ushering responsible leadership.
Furthermore, JNI uses this medium as it always does, to call on Imams to return to special prayers in calamitous situations and trying times (Qunutun-Nawazil), seeking Allah, the Most High to deal with the situation and evil perpetrators with what they deserve, and to restore peace and security to all affected areas, and the country at large. Muslims throughout the country are hereby urged to embrace more Dhikr (remembrance of Allah), through glorification of Allah, Istighfar (seeking Allah’s forgiveness) and ceaseless Du’a (prayers and invocations), for ease and relief.
The statement was signed on behalf of JNI by Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu
