BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – The Sultan of Sokoto and Leader of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, has described the recent killings in Benue State as inhumane, ungodly, and a complete betrayal of common values as human beings.
Condemning what it described as ‘barbaric act’ in its entirety, the JNI conveyed the Sultan’s deep pain and genuine concerns over the renewed spate of gruesome killings in parts of the North Central State, insisting that the security agencies must do more than mere reactionary measures to stop such carnage going forward.
A statement by the JNI’s Secretary General, Professor Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, said the “Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), under the leadership of its President-General, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, the Sultan of Sokoto, is deeply pained and genuinely disturbed by the renewed spate of gruesome killings and bloodletting in parts of Benue State, where scores of innocent and defenseless citizens have been unjustly massacred.
“For how long would such senseless killings continue to occur on the Nigerian soil? Why has it remained so difficult to security agencies in preempting such catastrophic occurrences on our national lives?
“The sanctity of human life is sacrosanct and must not be toyed with. Allah, the Most High says ‘Whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption (done) in the land – it is as if he had slain mankind entirely,’ Qur’an 5:32.”
While stressing that it is unacceptable that human lives are exterminated with such impunity, without any deterrence and or timely justice against the devilish actors in a supposedly democratic and civilised setting, the JNI further said; “While the JNI appreciates the efforts of security agencies, we are, however, constrained to express our displeasure at their often reactive posture.
“It has become a recurring pattern for security operatives to arrive only after the damage has been done.”
The organization urged all relevant stakeholders, including government at all levels, religious bodies, civil society organisations, and community leaders to collaborate in “synergy and sincerity to end this repeated avoidable carnage.”
According to the statement; “Enough is enough. Our collective silence or indifference may only serve to embolden the enemies of peace and national unity in Nigeria.”
