The Jama’atu Nasril Islam has expressed dissatisfaction with the efforts being made to stamp out banditry in Zamfara State, insisting government must move beyond condemnation to action.
The Secretary-General of the group, Khalid Aliyu, in a press statement on Tuesday in Kaduna also expressed worry about the resurgence of Boko Haram attacks in Yobe and Borno states.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, the group noted that parts of Zamfara had been allowed to turn into a theatre for the dehumanisation and desecration of the sanctity of life and personal liberty and communal integrity.
“This is utterly reprehensible and unacceptable; for hooligans to hold a whole state to ransom.
“Equally painful is the return of insurgency in some parts of Borno and Yobe states, with wanton destruction of lives and property.
“Why must all the 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 group said.
The JNI called for investigation into the killings in Zamfara, adding “it is hardly imaginable that such pusillanimous and evil acts could still occur in Zamfara State despite frequent assurances by government.
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“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?”
The Islamic body “therefore calls on government 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.
“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 orgies of misfortunes.
“We pray to the Almighty Allah, to grant the deceased forgiveness and mercy, while those that sustained injuries quick recovery.”
On the forthcoming general election, the JNI urged political gladiators to play according to the rules, and conduct political campaigns with decorum and in a peaceful manner.
“JNI call on Imams to return to special prayers offered in calamitous situations and trying times, 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.”
