The Jama'atu Nasril Islam, led by Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, has expressed deep concern over the escalating insecurity in Nigeria. In a statement, the Islamic organisation condemned the continuing killings, abductions, terrorist attacks, banditry, cattle rustling, and destruction of livelihoods across several parts of the country. JNI called on the federal government to take urgent, decisive measures to protect citizens and communities. The organisation's Secretary-General, Prof. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, issued the statement on Wednesday.
JNI identified recent incidents in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Kebbi, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Gombe, Kogi, Benue, and Plateau states as evidence of the scale of the security challenges confronting Nigeria. The organisation noted that despite sustained military and security operations, innocent Nigerians continued to be killed and abducted from their homes and highways. Many communities have been displaced and subjected to fear and psychological trauma. JNI expressed particular concern over the continuing attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in the North-East.
The organisation raised concern over the spread of kidnapping and banditry for ransom across the North-West and North-Central zones. Communities are increasingly exposed to ransom demands, illegal levies, cattle rustling, destruction of property, and disruption of economic activities. JNI also expressed concern over the reported death of 37 persons while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Niger State. The organisation demanded the fullest transparency into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
JNI welcomed the Federal Government's decision to institute an independent investigation into the deaths and suspend officers connected with the incident pending the outcome of the process. The organisation called for a transparent, independent, thorough, timely, and credible investigation into the incident. JNI urged that nobody found culpable should be shielded and cautioned against prejudging the outcome before evidence was established.
The organisation unequivocally condemned the killing and abduction of innocent citizens, regardless of their ethnic, political, religious, or geographical identity. JNI stressed that there could be no justification for terrorism, kidnapping, destruction of homes and livelihoods, illegal levies, cattle rustling, sexual violence, or the use of terror to displace citizens. The organisation also condemned terrorism, banditry, armed criminality, violent extremism, and communal violence.
JNI acknowledged the sacrifices being made by the Armed Forces, Police, NSCDC, DSS, Civilian Joint Task Forces, vigilante groups, and other lawful security formations. The organisation called for improved coordination, stronger intelligence gathering, adequate equipment, effective border control, better welfare for security personnel, and sustained operations against criminal and terrorist networks. JNI urged security agencies to move increasingly from reactive responses to intelligence-led preventive operations.
The organisation urged authorities to address the economic and social conditions that expose vulnerable youths to recruitment into criminal networks. JNI called for lawful and humane enforcement against illegal mining and demanded credible systems for monitoring detention facilities to protect persons in custody from abuse, neglect, or avoidable deaths. The organisation prayed for the souls of those killed in terrorist attacks, banditry, kidnapping, and communal violence, as well as for those still in captivity, the injured, displaced, and traumatised.
Key points
- JNI demands urgent government action to address escalating insecurity in Nigeria.
- The organisation condemns the killing and abduction of innocent citizens and calls for improved security measures.
- JNI urges authorities to address the economic and social conditions that expose vulnerable youths to recruitment into criminal networks.
