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Tag: Zamfara killings

  • Zamfara killings and challenges of nation building

    With the savagery going on in Zamfara State, the mindless killings by herdsmen in the middle belt region, reprisal killings in Southern Kaduna and kidnapping for ransom between Kaduna highway and Abuja seat of power which has now extended to other parts of the country, the chickens have finally come home to roost.  Concerned Nigerians  have been warning since Babangida’s  whimsical annulment of the 1993 elections, considered  the most credible election in our nation’s history, that  an election, a mere divisive periodic ritual through which the elite decide who takes over power is not an answer to our crisis of nationality. They called for the convocation of a sovereign national conference to work out a new constitution to determine how we live together in peace in spite of our ethnic diversity. This was roundly rejected by those who are benefitting from the nation’s current nightmare, especially the northern political elite and their like-minded counterparts from the south who prefer the culture of ‘labourers born labourers’ to that of building a more egalitarian society.

    Today, we are haunted by consequences of the betrayal of the less privileged in our society with the nation held to ransom by bandits, kidnappers and herdsmen who have nothing to lose. Unfortunately, these are symptoms of crisis of identification, participation and legitimacy, often associated with nation building which can neither be resolved through elections or use of force.  The less than 35% (lowest in Africa) that participated in the 2019 election, cannot in good conscience be said to be evidence of fidelity or genuine sense of duty by all Nigerians. While the voting pattern reflects the deep division in the country, the endless dispute over unfair distribution or sharing of resources questions the moral legitimacy of any segment of the elite that take over power.

    Political stability as Aristotle pointed out in his ‘Politics’ a long time ago, depends on distributive justice-the proper allocation of rewards according to merit. When there is distributive injustice, on the other hand, the government, he says, becomes unstable. Unfortunately the natural instinct of those with power without legitimacy is to resort to force, and resorting to force as we have now seen cannot resolve our crisis of nation building. If anything, it only prolongs our nightmare.

    The killings of about 11,000 male adults which started in Shinkafi and Maradun Local Government Areas in 2011  according to Aminu Sani-Jaji, (Kaura-Namoda/Birnin-Magaji Federal constituency and  chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on National Intelligence and Security, first forced the president to accede to the request of the Minister of Defence, Brig-Gen. Mansur Dan Ali (rtd) for the stationing of a full battalion of Special Forces in Zamfara State, and the operationalization of the newly-established 8 Division of the Nigerian Army in Sokoto in the new Order of Battle (OBAT).

    That did not prevent the killing of 203 people from Zamfara among the 1,071 persons killed, and 685 persons kidnapped across the country in the first quarter of 2016. The response of the former IG, Ibrahim Idris to the killings was the launching of    “Operation Maximum Safety” with 510 police personnel and 40 patrol vehicles”. This according to Jimoh  Moshood, the police spokesman, was followed by  a “Joint Intervention Team of about 1000 police personnel comprised of seven mobile police force units headed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, counter terrorism unit (CTU), federal special anti-robbery squad (FSARS), anti-bomb (EOD) squad, and conventional policemen”. Their mandate: “rout-out, arrest and prosecute armed bandits, vicious kidnappers for ransom and cattle rustling gangs operating in some parts of the state.” The DIG arrived Zamfara State in November 2018 ‘with three surveillance patrol helicopters and crew members to coordinate the operation to completely rout-out all armed bandits from Zamfara and other contiguous states”.

    The Nigerian Air Force was not left out. According to its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, it  also launched  its own Operation ‘Diran Mikiya’, with a coordinated air strikes and a force package of two attack helicopters after intensive Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions .

    There was also the launching of “Operation Puff Adder,” by  Mohammed Adamu , the current IG aimed “at taking the battle to the doorsteps of the criminals” especially in Zamfara.

    All the above show of force by the police army and air force personnel could not  prevent  the mindless killings of about 50 people and wounding of over 31 others when Dangurgu, Kunkilai, Birnin Magaji, in Maru, Gusau and Birnin Magaji local government areas of the state came under attack over the weekend. The Emir of Bungudu, Alhaji Hassan Attahiru, has also confirmed that killings by bandits are not abating in Zamafara State despite the military operations against the criminals. In his words:  “Just on Saturday, in my domain, the bandits struck in broad daylight and killed 15 people. Thirteen people died instantly, while two others gave up the ghost later.”

    After all the blunders by a government that only listens to itself, the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, was said to have met with the expanded executive council of the northern traditional rulers at the Arewa House in Kaduna State where he directed the traditional rulers to start community policing and establish local security councils in their domains to tackle banditry and other security crises in the region.  He was quoted as saying “community policing in your various domains so that more information about criminal elements can be obtained in real time.”

    Since it is on record that northern governors, including those of besieged Zamfara (the ‘political Sharia’ former governor, Senator Ahmad Sani Yerima and his godsons Mahmud Shinkafi and Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari) have always been opposed to devolution of power including state and community policing, revenue sharing based on derivation or fiscal federalism, one is not sure if Dan Ali is saying the north can unilaterally choose which of these items they like or dislike and whether his directive also covers the southern states.

    If Ali’s sectional approach to a crisis of nationality is indicative of government’s new thinking, one can guess the narcissistic Buhari administration has finally seen the futility of using force to settle crisis of legitimacy. It is only but a dysfunctional government with  unhindered access to revenues it does not generate that would opt for  massive security operations involving deployments of ‘Air force Operation ‘Diran Mikiya’, with a coordinated air strikes and a force package of two attack helicopters, 1000 policemen with counter terrorism unit (CTU), federal special anti-robbery squad (FSARS), anti-bomb (EOD) squad, “Operation Maximum Safety”  with 510 police personnel and 40 patrol vehicles”, followed by “Operation Puff”  when there are far cheaper options such as ‘institutionalisation of compromise relationships’ open to an embattled president facing legitimacy crisis over the challenges of nation building.

    But for the opponents of workable federal arrangement, a fraction of the resources wasted on Zamfara failed project would have changed the face of a state with a population of three million, 23 hospitals with 23 doctors, 300 public primary schools manned by a single teacher each while many others in remote rural communities, are not that lucky as they have no teachers” according to the state Universal Basic Education Board (ZSUBEB)’s Executive Chairman, Hon Murtala Adamu Jangebe.

  • Air Force tackles Zamfara monarchs on list of strikes victims

    The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Thursday faulted the Zamfara monarchs on the list of victims of air raids carried out in Zamfara and its environs against bandits and kidnappers.

    It said at no time did it bomb targeted locations of the criminals.

    The Zamfara state Council of Chiefs through its Chairman and Emir of Bungudu, Alhaji Hassan Attahiru had on Wednesday released names of civilians who were allegedly killed during air raids by the Air Force.

    Following the development, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar ordered a Panel of Inquiry to be headed by an Air Vice Marshal to carry out comprehensive investigations into the allegations, the NAF said.

    Addressing journalists at its Headquarters in Abuja, the Director of Public Relations and Information of the NAF, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, faulted assertion that bombs were used in Zamfara state as false and misleading.

    He said while the list of alleged civilian victims released by the chiefs would be scrutinised during interactions with them, the NAF would not stand down its air interdictions in the state to ensure the safety and security of lives and properties.

    Daramola also emphasised the air raids on bandits and other criminal elements in Zamfara and its environs were carried out after Intelligence, Survaillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms have established their presence in their hideouts, maintaining that such operations are also done with human intelligence.

    He maintained that there was no way the Air Force could have “bomb” anyone more so when it only used lower calibre munitions even as the bandits have anti-aircraft guns in their possession.

    Daramola said: ” The allegation that bombs were used is therefore not only false but out rightly misleading.

    READ ALSO: Over 5000 killed in Zamfara by bandits since 2009, says Yari

    “In the light of the allegation by the Zamfara State Council of Chiefs, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has ordered a high powered Panel of Inquiry to investigate the veracity or otherwise of the claim. The Panel, which will be headed by an Air Vice Marshal – 2-star general, will work with the Zamfara State Government as well as the Zamfara State Council of Chiefs and other stakeholders.

    “The Panel will start its investigation from Katsina, the Headquarters of Operation DIRAN MIKYA, before proceeding to Gusau and other relevant locations Zamfara State to properly scrutinize all evidence presented by the Zamfara State Council of Chiefs. At the end of the investigation, members of the public would be duly informed.

    “The NAF would not relent in its unwavering commitment to sustain its operations to flush out armed bandits from Zamfara and its environs in collaboration with other security agencies. The NAF wishes to restate that it will always be responsible and will not take any action that will jeopardize the safety and security of the people of Zamfara State.

    “As a professional organisation and in line with our constitutional mandate, we shall not be distracted but ensure that the innocent people of Zamfara and indeed all Nigerians are safe and secure to be able to pursue their legitimate aspirations.”

  • Zamfara killings: The heart of the matter

    SIR: For the past one month, Zamfara State has captured the attention of Nigerians and the international community. The continuous carnage by daredevil bandits has led to the death of hundreds of helpless and defenceless people of the state. It is obvious that, the governor of Zamfara State and even the federal government have woefully failed to protect the armless and hapless people of the state. More worrisome is how the governor is threatening to resign amidst public outcry for the imposition of state of emergency. To add salty to injury, the man who has virtually abdicated his responsibility has been handsomely rewarded with a parting gift of a Senate seat by the same people of Zamfara who have become slaves to the ambition of one man and his co-conspirators.

    Democracy here means personal interest rather than the interest of the people.

    Historically, Zamfara with its motto- ‘Farmers’ Pride’ used to be one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria, even with the introduction of Sharia law in 1999.The post-election violence of 2007 and 2011 that rocked almost the whole northern states, did not affect the state. Unfortunately, the state has now become a no-go area and a haven for bandits who are always killing and kidnapping hundreds of people for ransom.

    Illegal mining has been ongoing for a very long time and several experts have warned the government against the business. However, nothing has been done until lately. In 2010, lead poison killed several children in their homes through contaminated food and dust in the air as a result of the illicit mining which led to the death of over 300 people including children and women in the state. Though the killing started in 2014 as cattle rustling activity, the matter became worse in early 2016 when the bandits started killing the miners. Foreigners also operate in the state; some of course have licenses while others don’t and this has endangered the lives of so many villagers where the mining activities take place. It is the lack of concern shown by Governor Abdulaziz Yari that led to the precarious situation which raised a lot of suspicion that the governor probably knew more than he has told Nigerians.

    Recently, a prominent Islamic cleric in Kano State accused prominent politicians of extracting these resources and exporting them to foreign countries where they sell them and make huge amount of money. If that is the case, the residents of those areas will not know peace because if there is peace, they will ultimately pay attention to the gold being extracted in the communities and they may begin to ask questions. It is probably the reason the crisis has persisted. This scenario is reminiscent of the Liberian debacle under Charles Taylor.

    At the moment, Nigeria cannot afford another crisis like that of Boko Haram because of the interest of a few people. Now the bandits have expanded their kidnappings and killings to neighbouring states of Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Kaduna. No amount of pressure will solve this problem when people like Governor Yari that is supposed to be at the fore-front of fighting and protecting his people has ended up governing the state from Abuja and of course the president is also paying little attention to the killings in the state. Even the media that is supposed to beam its searchlight is giving little coverage while civil society organizations are divided along ethno-religious lines in responding to the issues.

    For a state that massively voted the ruling party despite obvious challenges, it is only natural that the government should reciprocate by doing everything possible to protect the lives and property of the Zamfara people. Government should review its strategies periodically and provide proactive measures when handling security matters of this nature and sensitivity.

     

    • Idris Mohammed, Abuja.

  • Zamfara Killings: Group urges FG to arrest, prosecute culprits

    ASIS International, a group of Security Professionals has called on the Federal Government to arrest and prosecute any traditional ruler involved in the killings in Zamfara and other parts of the country.

    NAN reports that the acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu recently alleged that some traditional rulers were involved in mining activities that was contributing to the killings in Zamfara.

    Mr Kabir Adamu, Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Chapter of ASIS, made the call while addressing newsmen on the security challenges in the North West and North Central on Sunday in Abuja.

    “As security professionals from diverse expertise, it is our view that there are ominous indicators that attest to the emergence of new security threat factor,“he said.

    He said these armed bandits have engaged in wanton kidnap for ransom incidences at rates that portend grave danger for the country.

    “The entire country risks been engulfed in crisis of immense proportions if urgent and deliberate measures are not taken,“he said.

    He said that the Zamfara State Emergency Management Agency had stated that 227 persons were kidnapped between December 2018 and March 2019.

    He said that the bandits had taken the full advantage of the country`s vulnerability to strike at will without been apprehended.

    Adamu attributed the successes of the bandits to the porous nature of the country`s borders and the ungoverned spaces that pervaded the region.

    He said that the bandits were also taking advantage of the gaps in our national security architecture to thrive in their heinous actvities.

    The chairman said that the bandits were also succeeding because of the high return on investment for kidnapping and the seeming lack of political will to address the menace.

    He said the seeming lack of capacity by the security forces and the quasi-official sanctioning of payment of ransom has acted as catalysts to escalate the crime.

    Adamu said that has been estimated that approximately one N1 billion been paid in ransom within the last few months.

    “With these kinds of funds, more weapons will be procured and more youngsters will be lured into the “trade” due to its lucrativeness and perceived “high social status” of those that have made their bones.

    “We appreciate and commend the efforts of the security agencies, some of whom have paid the supreme price.

    “ However, to contend with these emerging threats in the North West and North Central regions in combination with other existing crisis could be quite challenging

    “Therefore, there is an urgent need for the federal government to take an all-inclusive view of these threats and vulnerabilities with the aim of quickly outlining immediate, medium and long-term initiatives to curb these security risks and threats,“he said.

    He called on the Executive and Legislative arms to adopt measures to check banditry and kidnap for ransom in the country.

    Adamu said government should make its position on payment of ransom very clear, which should be in line with global best practice.

    He said that government should roll out the practice and adherence to the principles and tenets of community policing nationwide for the Nigeria Police Force.

    He said that government should mandate and empower the military to conduct decisive, surgical and comprehensive operations in all vulnerable areas in line with the dictates of human rights.

  • End Zamfara killings

    SIR; The continuing massacre of defenceless people in Zamfara State has become a matter of great concern. It is no longer news that Zamfara State has turned to another Syria or Somalia where attacks are being carried out with impunity and lives being lost on daily basis. What started as pure banditry has transformed to a monster defying any lasting solutions. Now, some villages in the state have become no go areas. The daredevil kidnappers, bandits or any name you can call them have continued to terrorise the state. The state government is helplessly looking for help from the federal government which controls the security.

    The curious questions begging for answers are: What happened to the operation Harbin Kunama, the outfit launched by President Muhammadu Buhari two years ago? The operation was launched to rid the state of menace of bandits and other criminals. Sadly, instead of a respite, the crime has continued unabated.

    Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan Ali, who is from the state, last time expressed fears that the murderous group, Boko Haram, might have infiltrated the cattle rustlers in Zamfara. His assertion may be true but the problems remain.

    Banditry did not start in one day. It had been going on for many years. However, the inability of the state government to respond and tackle the problem speedily might have complicated or made the matter worse. It has been reported that some highly placed traditional and local chiefs or leaders are behind the rampant cases of abduction in the state. If true, what efforts have the state government put in place to identify and punish the culprits?

    The state governor should be blamed for his failure to address these killings at the early stage. As a leader, you cannot be globetrotting while your state is in flames. He governor, Abdulazziz Yari, hardly stays in the state when his attention is needed. This has contributed immensely towards aggravating the problems. The governor, who is serving his last term in office, has been preoccupied with the politics of succession rather than the daily onslaught and killings of hapless and defenceless people of his state.

    The long silence of the federal government on this condemnable carnage or atrocities has not helped matters. While Operation Harbin Kunama has failed to yield the desired outcomes, the need to review it has become imperative.

    The Zamfara killings need intelligence to tackle. Some perpetrators of these dastardly acts are living within the communities. With proper intelligence, it should be possible to identify those behind them for punishment according to the laws of the land. It is high time the federal government came to the aid of people of Zamfara State.

     

    • Ibrahim Mustapha,  Pambegua, Kaduna State.

  • End killings, kidnapping in Zamfara now, protesters urge Buhari

    Abuja-based natives of  Zamfara State yesterday embarked on a peaceful protest to the Presidential Villa in the FCT, calling for an immediate end to the current wave of killings and kidnappings in the state.

    The protesters said state of insecurity has resulted in apprehension, displacements of communities and loss of lives.

    The convener of the protest, Miss Fatimah Mustapha said that their action was to call attention of government to the gruesome killings and cases of kidnappings going at home.

    According to her, perpetrators of these evil acts are getting bolder day by day with little action taken by the authorities to arrest the situation and stop the act.

    She alleged that the government of Zamfara was not doing anything to arrest the situation hence the protest in the nation’s capital, Abuja, the seat of government.

    Also, Ms Kadaria Ahmed, a journalist, who participated in the protest, urged the President to direct security personnel to rise to the situation.

    “We have the challenge of security situation all over the country, but that of Zamfara is clearly bad. We are tired of mass burial and that is why we are calling on PMB to intervene.

    “Nobody is talking of these killings now among our leaders, and this is apparently disgusting. This issue involves lives and people deserve to be safe wherever they live in this country,’’ she said.

    Mr Zaharuddeen Bello-Imam, a former Director General on Social Media to Gov. Abdullaziz Yari of Zamfara, said the Federal Government should take decisive action against the kidnappers and bandits operating in the state.

    According to him, there is need for total overhaul of the security apparatus of the state to control the situation before the killing and kidnapping get out of hand.

    Another protester, Mr Aliyu Dansado, said the killings and kidnapping had affected farming activities in the state, adding that he was unable to go to his farms for some time because of fear.

    “Government should rise up to action to end the killing and kidnapping, we have been paying ransom to kidnappers for the past five years now, people are killed on daily basis, government needs to do something now,’’ he said.

    The protesters marched from the Unity Fountain, Maitama Abuja to the Presidential Villa where they presented their letter for President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Speaking to the protesters, Mr Usman Ibrahim, Special Assistant to the President on Security, promised to convey their message to the President.

  • Motorcycle association welcomes restriction, laments killing of members

    National Association of commercial motorcycle and tricycle owners and riders association has applauded the imposition of curfew on motorcycles and tricycles in Zamfara State, considering the escalating security situation in the state where its members are made to be the scapegoats.

    “We have been receiving reports of our members being killed, machete or doped while their motorcycles carted away, especially in the night hours,  but with the curfew on motorcycles and tricycles in place, the reports are no more there.”

    Zamfara State chairman of the association, Usman Muhammad Haido, disclosed this to The Nation while reacting to imposition of restriction of motorcycle and tricycle from 7PM to 6AM in the state.

    Haido explained that when security threat is rampant, drastic measures that may not augur well to many people have to be taken to arrest the situation.

    He revealed that they had wanted the curfew hours to be reduced from 9PM to 6AM but considering the situation at hand, it has changed their demand after their meeting with the state Commissioner of Police Thursday.

    “We have also told the police that if any of our member is caught violating the law,  he should face the full wrath of the law as we cannot go to ask for his bail and if they arrest anybody without ID Card, then he is not our member, “ Haido said

    He revealed that restrictions of the movements of motorcycles in Zamfara State have been existence for years.

    According to him it is only when security threat becomes low that the law is relaxed saying that the law should have not been imposed on all the local governments but that also becomes necessary in order to fully control the situation.

  • Minister urges Zamfara communities to support military operation

    Minister of Defence, Rtd. Brig. Gen. Mansur Dan Ali has called on communities in Zamfara to support ongoing military operation against banditry in the state.

    The Minister made the call in an interview with newsmen during his one-day working visit to review the activities of “Operation Sharan Daji” in Gusau on Thursday.

    Dan Ali said community support was very necessary to enable the security personnel understand the nature of the terrain.

    He said intelligence information from communities was very critical to guiding the military operation in identifying the location and how to get at criminals.

    He commended the effort of Zamfara State Government over the establishment of Civilian Joint Task Force to complement conventional security personnel.

    According to him, since soldiers were trained to defend the nation, it was therefore important for communities to give them all the necessary support.

    Expressing satisfaction with the conduct of military operation in the state, the defence minister urged them to keep up the good work. (NAN)

  • Zamfara killings: ‘Where is Nigeria’s govt?’

    The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has queried the essence of a government in Nigeria when scores of people are killed daily across the land.

    The apex Islamic body in the North said government at all levels must stop acts of terror unleashed on innocent persons and restore peace and security.

    It said this is the first constitutional role of any government.

    JNI was reacting to killings in Borno, Yobe and Zamfara states by bandits.

    In a statement by its Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, JNI noted that the Zamfara, Borno and Yobe killings were reprehensible and unacceptable as hooligans and those it called wayward persons held Zamfara State to ransom.

    The statement reads: “Where is the government? Where are the security agencies? Where are the political, community and religious leaders? Where is our conscience? Where is the humanness in us? Above all, where is our Islam? Where is the Qur’an and its pristine teachings? Where is the Prophetic guidance in his Sunnah?

    “Why must all the bloodletting be allowed to resurface? All these recurring acts of terrorism, dehumanisation, sacrilege of sanctity of life and all forms of wickedness are utterly and unreservedly condemned in their entirety and government must go beyond mere condemnations.

    “The Zamfara State carnage has now claimed uncountable number of lives and destruction of property; it has continued unabated for years. What then is the essence of government and security outfits?

    “We should all be reminded that, that was how Boko Haram insurgency started and it has now snowballed into a full-blown security threat to the nation! We must not see it as a face up to Zamfara State, as already the spill-over of it has been witnessed in Kaduna, Niger, Sokoto Kebbi and Katsina states in the name of armed banditry and kidnappings.”

    Calling for realistic investigation that must bring similar occurrence(s) to an end, JNI noted that it was disheartening that after attacks were lunched on settlements, sporadic gunshots followed and then setting the communities ablaze ensued in Zamfara State.

    JNI said the evil that men do lives after them, and will continue to hunt them.

    The organisation said it will continue to ask questions, saying: “Who are the blood-thirsty fellows? Why have they been allowed for years? Why have they not been arrested and interrogated? What has been the motive behind such repeated scandalous acts? Isn’t intelligence gathering supposed to aid security operatives, and why is it not yielding the desired results? Why the renewed attacks now, just few months before the 2019 general elections?

    “JNI has been keenly following the unfolding events in Zamfara, Borno and Yobe states, overtime, which unfortunately climaxed with the recent serial massacres in Maradun, Tsafe, Birnin Magaji, Maru, Baga and Kukareta, among many others.

    “We, therefore, call on government at all levels to do everything possible, as a matter of urgency, to stop these evil acts of terror repeatedly being unleashed on innocent souls and restore peace and security, which is their first constitutional role, as silence is no longer golden.”

    Efforts to get the reactions were unsuccessful last night.

    JNI commiserated with the families of the victims and condole with those of gallant security men who died at the battle fronts, as well as husbands and wives, parents and guardians of those who lost their wards/children to the attacks.

    It prayed the Almighty Allah to grant the deceased forgiveness and mercy and the injured quick recovery.

  • Zamfara killings: JNI queries essence of government in Nigeria

    Pained by the return of insurgency in some parts of Borno, Yobe states and killings of hundreds of people with wanton destruction of property in Zamfara State, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has queried the need for the existence of government in Nigeria.

    The apex Islamic body in Northern Nigeria said, governments at all levels must do everything possible as a matter of urgency to stop evil acts of terror repeatedly being unleashed on innocent souls and restore peace and security, which is their first constitutional role, as silence is no longer golden.

    In a statement signed by it’s Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, JNI noted that the Zamfara, Borno and Yobe incidences are utterly reprehensible and unacceptable, for hooligans and way-wards to hold a whole state to ransom to no avail.

    It, however, expresses deep concern over what it described as a theater of dehumanisation and desecration of the sanctity of life, properties, personal liberty and communal integrity, by wanton destruction of lives and properties, as well as terrorizing communities in Zamfara state.

    According to the statement, “Where is the government? Where are the security agencies? Where are the political, community and religious leaders? Where is our conscience? Where is the humanness in us? Above all, where is our Islam? Where is the Qur’an and its pristine teachings? Where is the Prophetic guidance in his Sunnah?

    “Why must all these bloodlettings be allowed to resurface? All these re-occurring acts of terrorism, dehumanisation, sacrilege of sanctity of life and all forms of wickedness are utterly and unreservedly condemned in their entirety and government must go beyond mere condemnations.

    “The Zamfara state carnage has now claimed an uncountable number of lives and destruction of properties and has continued unabated for years. What then is the essence of government and security outfits?

    “We should all be reminded that that was how Boko Haram insurgency started and it has now snowballed into a full-blown security threat to the nation! We must not see it as a face up to Zamfara state, as already spillover of it, has been witnessed in Kaduna, Niger, Sokoto Kebbi and Katsina state in the name of armed banditry and kidnappings.” It read.

    While calling for a real investigation that must bring similar occurrence(s) to a final end, JNI said it is disheartening that after attacks are launched on settlements, sporadic gunshots follow and then setting the communities ablaze ensues in Zamfara state.

    While noting that, the evil that men do lives after them, and will continue to hunt them, JNI said it will continue to ask questions including, “Who are the bloodthirsty fellows? Why have they been allowed for years? Why have they not been arrested and interrogated? What has been the motive behind such repeated scandalous acts? Isn’t intelligence gathering supposed to aid security operatives and why is it not yielding the desired results? Why the renewed attacks now, just a few months before the 2019 General Elections?”

    He added, “JNI has been keenly following the unfolding events in Zamfara, Borno and Yobe states, overtime; which unfortunately climax with the recent serial massacres in Maradun, Tsafe, Birnin Magaji, Maru, Baga and Kukareta, among many others.

    “We, therefore, call on Governments at all levels to do everything possible as a matter of urgency to stop these evil acts of terror repeatedly being unleashed on innocent souls and restore peace and security, which is their first constitutional role, as silence is no longer golden. ”

    He commiserate with the families of the victims of these ‘inhuman attacks’ and particularly condole with the families of gallant security men that died at battlefronts, husbands and wives, parents and guardians who have lost their wards/children in these orgy misfortunes.

    He pray to the Almighty Allah, to grant the deceased forgiveness and mercy, while those that sustained injuries quick recovery.

    He however drew the attention of the political gladiators to play the game according to the rules, during their political campaigns, with decorum and peaceful means saying,  “Although, we are not oblivious of the fact, that politicians often say that there is no morality in politics, that is why it is not surprising to witness the display of sheer irresponsibility, obscenity and scurrility between political rivals, and incitement of violence at the local communities for political aggrandizement.”

    He stressed that hate speeches and all violent tendencies should be avoided as responsible conduct of campaign is a panacea in ushering responsible leadership.

    He then called on Imams to return to special prayers in calamitous situations and trying times (Qunutun-Nawazil), seeking Allah, the Most High to deal with the situation and evil perpetrators with what they deserve and to restore peace and security to all affected areas, and the country at large.