JNI worried by rising insecurity

From AbdulGafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

The apex Islamic body, Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI) is worried by the renewed insecurity in the country.

It also warned Nigerians against giving security issues religious, ethnic  and political colouration.

A statement on Tuesday by its Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, said: “JNI under the leadership of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, is worried and pained by the renewed and escalated magnitude of insecurity in the country generally and the North in particular, through the wanton destruction of lives and property, rampant kidnapping, armed robberies and brigandage, and the menace of drug abuse, and other social vices.

“Security agencies that are saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property of the citizenry and securing their well-being must rise to the occasion of discharging their responsibilities diligently.

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“Even though it must be placed on record that they are trying their best gallantly, they should, however, double their efforts in doing more until peace and security return to normalcy.

“Government, whose primary Constitutional responsibility is the provision of security must make the security agencies work in making Nigerian communities safe and secure. Issues of security must be accorded all the seriousness it deserves at all levels.”

The Islamic body advised Nigerians against  politicizing  security matters, trivialising or basing them on ethnic, religious or regional lines. ”   .

It noted that  the attempted bombing of a church at Sabon Tasha in Kaduna last Sunday by one Nathaniel Samuel would “have been a trigger for another dangerous violent conflict, had it not been prevented  by the Nigeria Police Force.

While urging Nigerians to work in synergy in fighting the security challenges, JNI needed not delay in punishing those whom it described as “unscrupulous elements who are enemies of peaceful coexistence in our dear country.”