Abductions, K!llings, Renewed Attacks by Boko Haram And Ethnic Violence Alarming — Sultan

 

The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar III has called out the government of President Bola Tinubu.

 

The group raised alarm over the increasing wave of abductions, killings, and resurging Boko Haram activities across Nigeria, accusing the federal government of lacking proactive security measures.

 

In a statement issued by its Secretary-General, Professor Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, JNI lamented the apparent failure of intelligence and questioned the government’s commitment to protecting its citizens. “The Federal Government should be seen to be proactive on security matters. The recurrence of security cataclysms, including abductions, killings, renewed attacks by Boko Haram insurgents and ethnic violence here and there in Nigeria is alarming, and there is urgent need for redress,” the group said.

 

Reacting to the recent killing of Muslim wedding guests in Plateau State, the statement accused Christian mobs in the area of repeated and targeted violence. “To say the least, the Plateau Christian militias have shown the world that their bestial demeanour knows no bounds; it only changes location and time for barbarism,” the statement alleged, describing the attack as “barbaric” and “premeditated.”

 

JNI further stated: “They have continued to perpetrate serial attacks on innocent Muslims travelling along routes of the Plateau over the years… In fact, they brazenly attacked Muslim worshippers on an Eid day on Tuesday, August 30, 2011.”

 

Referring to past incidents, JNI said, “In the same Mangu, a Jumu’ah, Friday mosque, was demolished and the premises turned to a market space. The case of some intolerant people preventing the rebuilding of the Central Mosque in Langtang North destroyed over two decades ago, is another case in point.”

 

The organisation called on governments at all levels to go beyond condemnations and act decisively: “Condemnations alone can never stop these repeated madness, hence a decisive action by governments must be seen to be done swiftly. Justice delayed is justice denied.”

 

JNI also criticised the Plateau State Government for not visiting Kaduna or the families of the deceased, contrasting this with the response of Edo State Governor during a similar incident: “What then is holding back the Plateau State government?”

 

The group demanded the public prosecution of all suspects arrested in the Mangu killings and compensation for the victims' families. “We also expect the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria, MULAN, and well-meaning civil societies and organisations to seriously seek redress for the deceased Mangu victims through the courts of law,” the statement added.

 

JNI accused the Netherlands-based Observatory of Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA) of bias, claiming their reports were “prejudiced and subjective,” stating: “They should seek genuine information, for their reports favour Christians.”

 

In response, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) criticised JNI’s rhetoric, urging religious groups to move beyond blame. Reverend John Hayab, Chairman of CAN for the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, said: “Let them fear God now. That is my response. When we reduce these killings to lies, accusations, or a competition for sympathy, the violence in Nigeria will never end.”

 

He added, “People must stop the blame game and confront the truth.”

 

Reverend Hayab rejected the notion that Christians were being disproportionately favoured in media and international reporting, saying: “Can they come forward and paint a different picture from what I know? Who is killing whom in Southern Kaduna? Where we have buried 30, 40, 50, 20, even 10 people at once.”

 

Emphasising unity, Hayab urged: “If we truly want to address the root causes of this crisis, we must stop pointing fingers and call a spade a spade.”

He cited his public condemnation of the Mangu attack as an example of consistent accountability. “When the Mangu incident occurred, I publicly condemned it and described it as driven by the wrong spirit. I’ve made that clear in numerous media interviews. What more do they want?” he queried.