The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has said the recurrent security breaches on the Plateau calls for serious action and not cosmetic security actions, which were not intended for restorative justice.
Sultan while condemning the killings and attacks reiterated his several calls that government needs to overhaul the security architecture with defined timelines of operations.
JNI Secretary-General, Prof. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, in a statement on Tuesday urged the Plateau state government to sincerely address the recurring serial attacks and killings in the state and proactively be on the alert against reprisal attacks.
The statement further called on the Plateau State government to pay full due compensation (Diyyah) to the family members of victims of the blasts, “and the government should also take-up complete medicals of all the injured victims. Perhaps, by so doing it will be alive to its responsibility”
According to JNI, “Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) under the leadership of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, expresses yet another shock and displeasure over the inhuman attack on citizens in a certain community market in Angwan Rukuba of Jos North, Plateau State”
“It is indeed utterly heartless, reprehensible and unequivocally condemnable to say the least. It should be noted that after careful introspection and critical perusal of the sad repeated senseless killings on the Plateau and other parts of Nigeria, the JNI National Headquarters observed with dismay that the most recent attacks on the Plateau were well-orchestrated with perhaps ulterior motives to set the state on political and religious turmoil”
“Life is sacrosanct and must be seen to be so in Nigeria, and for sustainable peace to reign, there must be retributive justice for all, regardless of whatever considerations. But for how long would we continue to issue condemnations over repeated killings in Nigeria? It is unthinkable that even the government now issue condemnations (statements). Why can’t the government address the matter squarely?”
The statement said, “The dastardly acts of repeated killings in Nigeria genuinely calls on security agencies to intensify efforts in fishing out culprits and get them punished accordingly. Deliberate efforts in ending such senseless killings once and for all should be the topmost priority of government, because that’s why they are fundamentally in office. As we stated in our last release, such callous killings are becoming the new normal particularly in the North and by extension in Nigeria”
“The fear is that once allowed to fester unchecked, it will lead to total breakdown of law and order in the nearest future and what is the essence of state, power and authority without law and order? Government should rise to the occasion and act decisively, as human lives seem to mean nothing anymore in Nigeria and that portrays Nigeria and Nigerians wrongly to the comity of Nations. JNI reiterates that criminals must not be emboldened in whatever disguise!”
“On the whole, the Plateau state government must not be allowed to return back to the dark days of unfortunate bloodbath, as human lives seem not to matter to the disgruntled elements within the Plateau. Moreover, why must the Plateau people allow themselves to be used by miscreants and senseless humans at all cost? Plateau people should tell the world that they prefer peaceful coexistence than anarchy”
JNI added, “Nigerian citizens, especially the youths of Plateau State are urged to remain law abiding, calm and desist from all forms of actions that would threaten the fragile peace of Plateau state.
JNI nonetheless calls on all the good conscience on the Plateau and by extension Nigeria to propagate peace, humility, and humbleness, for no one has the right to live, over and above the other citizens in Nigeria. The Sultan however, prays to Allah, the Exceedingly Merciful to restore peace, security and tranquility on the Plateau and Nigeria in general, as well as forgive all the deceased, and put to shame the enemies of peace in Nigeria and beyond. Aamin” the statement stated.
Meanwhile, the Middle Belt Forum has called on the government to fully investigate the killings and attacks on innocent people in Unguwan Rukuba, Jos North and Kahir village in Kagarko local government area of Kaduna state.
MBF in a statement issued by it spokesman, Luka Binniyat, the forum urged the Federal Government to allow easier access to legally approved firearms and make them available at subsidised rates under a properly regulated system for citizens to defend themselves against the attackers.
The statement said, “Middle Belt Forum is not surprised by the brutal attacks on innocent people in Unguwan Rukuba, Jos; Kahir village in Kagarko Local Government Area of Southern Kaduna; and other parts of the Middle Belt last Sunday”
“Many times, security warnings have been given. Even the attackers sometimes send advance threats, yet the authorities fail to act to protect the people.
We hold both the affected state governments and the Federal Government responsible for these loss of lives. We call for a full investigation into this senseless violence”
MBF stressed that, “At this point, we urge the Federal Government to allow easier access to legally approved firearms and make them available at subsidised rates under a properly regulated system. This is the only way citizens can defend themselves, given the clear failure of the state to protect lives and property” the forum said.
