JNI cries out: Nowhere is safe in Nigeria

Concerns over rising security situation in Nigeria further peaked Wednesday with a leading Islamic organisation in the country-the Jama’atu-Nasril-Islam (JNI)- saying every part of the country faces one security challenge or the other.

It also said while bandits and kidnappers were on the prowl killing ceaselessly in communities in northern Nigeria, hunger could also kill innocent citizens who sit back at home in fear of  gunmen.

JNI, a notable Islamic organisation in Nigeria is being led by Sultan of Sokoto Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.

The Sultan had last week, expressed similar position at a forum organised by the Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace (IDF) in Abuja.

JNI

Commenting on the 43 slain Borno rice farmers, the JNI lamented that banditry had now become a common sight in the northern region, and therefore called on the federal government to be proactive and go beyond the traditional condemnation and lip service to security matters.

JNI Secretary-General Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, who said this in a statement Wednesday in Kaduna, warned that the seeming helplessness on the part of the government could force people to resort to self-help. .

It said: “Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) under the leadership of Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and the President-General, JNI, identifies with the government and people of Borno state, over the gruesome massacre of innocent rice farmers in Zabarmari, Jere Local Government, which was the height of bloodletting ever committed in recent history. 

“Wanton killings, acts of banditry, kidnapping for ransom, high rate of unemployment amongst the youths, rape and all forms of terrorisms have now become the ‘New Trend’ in our communities. Nigerians have become so much terrified, as nowhere is safe; the home, the farms and the roads. Bandits now rule in many communities, they set rules that must be obeyed.

“Forty three human beings as reported by the media were slaughtered without any intervention by the security forces in the area. The senseless act stands condemned in the strongest of terms. Unfortunately, the common man is now caught in-between two contending phenomenon; when he goes to the farm, he gets killed and when he stays at home he dies of hunger.” 

The statement further said: “It should be known that this singular act of Zabarmari was a calculated attempt to instill fears among farmers and jeopardise the frantic efforts of returning Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to their localities by the Borno state government under the leadership of Governor Babagana Umar Zulum.

“For how long, would we continue to live a life in fear? For how long can we continue to wait in vain? For how long shall we continue to condemn acts of terrorism without any concerted efforts in ending it? For how long would we continue to remain indolent? And for how long can we continue to remain hopeless in a precarious situation such as what we are in presently?

“Our heartrending condolences to the families of those martyred in the Zabarmari massacre, the people and government of Borno state and Nigeria in general. All that was needed immediately the incidence occurred was a proactive measure(s) by the Federal Government of Nigeria, such as a prompt visit within 24 hours to the affected areas. 

“This will assuage the affected communities to have more confidence in their leaders, seeing that they are not left alone in their ordeal and it will also send a strong signal to insurgents that the government is ready to go to any length to protect its people.

“In this light, we appreciate the tireless efforts of the Borno state Governor, Prof. Babagana Umar Zulum. May Allah, the Most High, continue to guide and protect him being a true servant leader.

“We, nevertheless, once again call on the federal government to rise up to its responsibilities and do well beyond the traditional condemnation, as lip service(s) on security matters should stop. Nigerians are desperately yearning for concrete actions. Thus, we call on government to:

“Always identify with victims and places of attacks by being physically on ground to commiserate with the people. A national broadcast after the visit is very necessary. Reprimand/prosecute officials that are found wanting in the discharge of their assignment(s), so as to serve as deterrent to other nonchalant officials.

“Collaboration with relevant security agencies with a timeline to bringing an end or at best decapitate all security threats bedevilling the country and also mop small arms and light weapons (SALWs) in the hands of criminals or else Nigeria will continue to witness the rise of arms proliferation for self-defence amongst Nigerians since the government failed to do so.

“Spare no genuine effort to immediately provide support to all the affected communities, as many are now displaced, becoming internally displaced persons (IDPs) in their own land, which further speaks volumes, considering the attendant social nuances often associated with IDP camps.”

Speaking on the need to shore up the societal values, the JNI said:”We note with dismay that our societal values have been relegated to alien norms, thus parents and community leaders must be very vigilant and always remain introspecting over their wards and/or children, as the prevalence of illicit drugs intake amongst the youths is getting out of hand. Child upbringing is a responsibility vested on each parent by Allah. Failure of which spells doom to our collective responsibility, Qur’an 13:11 provides better insights.

“These and many more similar gestures may not immediately bring insurgency to an abrupt end, but will reassure the masses and calm frayed nerves seeing that the authorities are truly on top of the situation. As it will bring hope and soothe the hearts. Not the exact opposite, being witnessed in recent years, which is providing fertile ground for citizens to harbour ill feelings against the government of the day.

“The Muslim Ummah is called upon to intensify ‘Adhkar’ (calling on Allah with the tongue), especially the prescribed morning and evening ones. The Muslims should eschew all forms of disobedience to Allah (SWT), repent and go back to the ways of the Lord of the universe. 

“While Imams must not relent, to recommence the Qunootun-Nawazil (special prayers at calamitous periods in the last Raka’at of each obligatory prayer and non-obligatory prayers), seeking Allah’s intervention for an end to these repeated sad pogroms.

“May Allah, the Most Merciful forgive the victims and bless them with ‘shahadah’. May He console their respective families and strengthen them to bear the loss. May He also assist, direct and energize those in authorities willing to discharge their first responsibility of protecting lives and properties. Amin.”

‘Zabarmari women, girls abducted’

In a related development, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr Edward Kallon, has said farmers in Zabarmari reported that some women and girls were feared abducted by the Boko Haram terrorists.

Kallon stated that more slain civilians were being recovered almost daily since Saturday when the terrorists coordinated a vicious attack.

The UN chief stated this during his assessment visit to Zabarmari near Maiduguri, Borno State – the location of Saturday’s gruesome murder of over 43 farmers.

In a statement Wednesday, Kallon noted that some families still had missing relations from the Zabarmari incident, adding that the governments at all levels must collaborate to attend to the attendant humanitarian crisis in the region.

 “There is no word to describe how I feel after I visited Zabarmari community yesterday. It is with great sadness, but also indignation that I met the families of the victims of Saturday’s violent attack and their communities.

“Details on losses are still coming in, and the search for missing people is still ongoing. More bodies are being recovered. Farmers have also reported that some of the missing women may have been abducted. I call for these innocent women and girls to be immediately released and for their safe return to their communities.

“With more slain civilians recovered almost every day since the attack, it is clear that this was an act of sheer inhumanity and abject cruelty. The perpetrators of this heinous and senseless act should be brought to justice.

“The actions to be taken go beyond a security response. Nigeria is not the only country at grip with violent non-state armed groups in the Sahel. As we see across the sub-region, a security response alone will not be enough to bring peace and security in a state like Borno, which has been facing over a decade of violence. All actors, including the international community, have to join forces and step up support to the people of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.

“It is only by working together, saving lives, rebuilding communities, providing new opportunities, increasing peace-building efforts, developing the infrastructure, fostering education, that we will be able to address the root causes of the crisis, reduce insecurity and stop the violence,” the statement said.

Buhari agrees to Reps’ invite

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has agreed to honour the invitation of lawmakers to answer questions on the nation’s security, Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila, has said.

Addressing State House correspondents after a close-door meeting with the president at the Presidential Villa in Abuja Wednesday, Gbajabiamila said the leadership of the green chamber and the president had agreed on a date for the latter to answer questions.

He said the date the president is scheduled to appear before the House of Representatives would be announced later.

“We came to see the President on developments in the country. He was so willing to listen as typical of the President, the usual democrat that he is.

“What we basically sought was to convey the resolution of the House and to fix a date which we did not fix, out of respect for Mr President and his very tight schedule, what date will be convenient.

“We have agreed on a date and he will meet with the House to address the situation. We have fixed a date but we will communicate with you. He is a perfect democrat; he will come to the House to address members in the nearest future,” he said.

On the feelings of the president on the nation’s security challenges, the speaker said: “I think he is more concerned than me and you. Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.

“We will leave everything until when he comes to the House. Let me not pre-empt him.

“All I can tell you for now is that he is fully committed to the security of lives and property of Nigerians.”

About AbdulRaheem Aodu, Kaduna and Abdullahi M. Gulloma, Abuja

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