Members of The Criterion (Association of Muslim Women in Business and Profession) prayed yesterday for the release of the schoolgirls abducted in Chibok, Borno State, over a month ago by the Boko Haram sect.
The professional group, led by its National Naibatul Amirah (Vice-President), Alhaja Fatimat Oyefeso, was joined by the Secretary to the Lagos State Government (SSG), Dr Idiat Oluranti Adebule.
The three-hour prayer featured recitation of the Holy Qur’an and special prayers for the safe return of the girls.
Addressing reporters after the prayers, Alhaja Oyefeso said the hearts of the group’s members, being mothers, bled for the continued captivity of the children.
The women’s leader prayed Allah to soften the hearts of the insurgents to release the girls unhurt.
She frowned at the inability of President Goodluck Jonathan to visit the villages where the abduction occurred.
Dr Jonathan’s visit, Alhaja Oyefeso said, would have enlivened the spirit of the girls’ parents and given them hope of reuniting with their children.
She said: “I believe it is unfortunate for our President to say that his visit would not resolve the crisis in Chibok. He needs to go there and feel the pains of parenthood. It will also afford him the opportunity of seeing the level of devastation and the sorry security situation in the area.”
Dr Adebule described Boko Haram as Nigeria’s big headache.
The insurgents’ activities, she said, were crimes against the Nigerian state, adding that all hands must be on deck to deal with the problem.
She said: “We must collectively create awareness against the operations of Boko Haram. Their operations are clearly against the dictates of Islam. Allah forbids compulsory conversion of people to another religion, not to talk of forcing girls to marry against their will.”
The SSG urged Nigerians to unite in the fight against insurgency.
The Companion National Amir (President), Alhaji Musibau Oyefeso, noted that the extension of the state of emergency in the Northeast would destroy the economy, political activities and social life of the affected states.
The Federal Government, he said, had failed Nigerians and should not use the state of emergency as its face-saving tactics.
The Muslim leader said the government should instead think of more practical approach to end insurgency in the land.
Lagos District Amir Najeem Jimoh said Nigeria needed to strengthen its security operatives so that there would be no need to seek external help to curb insurgency.
He said:”America has its only interest to protect anywhere it goes. It only gets into issues when its interest is at stake. I want to believe there is a genuine intention of America coming to Nigeria. As soon as the insurgents are defeated, let Americans return to their country and not create chaos in our country.”