What Buhari Govt Should Have Done To Stop Killings In Northern Nigeria - Sultan

The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) on Wednesday asserted that repeated incidents of killings and wanton destruction of property arising from well-coordinated attacks of armed bandits and Boko Haram terrorists would have been averted if the government of President Muhammadu Buhari squared up to the challenges.

The body led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, insisted that “Government should not reduce itself to just issuing light press statements on security upheavals”.

This was even as the National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Mungono, said the Federal Government has identified certain lapses mitigating against successful prosecution of the war against banditry and kidnapping, especially in most of the North West.

JNI however came hard on security agencies over what the apex Muslims body described as lackadaisical attitude in the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the country, saying the security operatives seemed to be overwhelmed by the problem.

The Sultan told the Federal Government that Nigerians have a right to express their feelings over the spate of killings in the country, especially in the north. This is against the backdrop of attacks on the convener of Northern Elders Forum, Prof. Ango Abdullahi and some Arewa youth groups who expressed reservations over government’s inability to stop the orgy of killings in the north earlier this week.

JNI’s position was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, entitled: ‘Nigeria’s perilous security challenge: Enough of condemnations, government must take decisive action, stop the rhetoric’.

It reads: “The Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, under the leadership of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and JNI’s President-General, is in utter shockwave over the unfortunate repeated incidents of loss of precious lives and wanton destruction of property arising from well-coordinated attacks of armed bandits, Boko Haram terrorist groups and rapists.

“These repeated calamitous scenarios would have been avoided had the government risen to the occasion. We, nonetheless, as always, condemn the repeated brutal acts in their entirety; especially the lackadaisical attitude of relevant security agencies that seemed to be overwhelmed, despite repeated calls by concerned and well-meaning Nigerians for a decisive action.

What Govt Should Do

“We implore government to take all genuine calls, concerns so raised and recommendations proffered so far, even from perceived and/or alleged antagonists in good fate, in order to move the country on the path of glory – human security, as development in whatever guise, is utterly incomplete without security.

“Government should also note that citizens have a right to be listened to, over their feelings on insecurity challenge in Nigeria. The repeated massacres of people, as well as the senseless burning of houses and livestock that do ensue in Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger states and, indeed, other states such as Adamawa, Kaduna and Taraba, should give governments and its functionaries at both federal and state levels sleepless nights.

“By now, an instantaneous pronouncement, followed by robust actions should have been made by the government of the day, not verbal warnings and condemnations dished out to the perpetrators of the murderous acts.

“JNI also notes with dismay the lack of symbolic gestures to affected communities by those in authorities. They remain in their comfort zones as their subjects are subjected to arson and killings of the highest degree.

“This has thrown the affected areas into despair and the bandits are emboldened, seeing that the government seems not much bothered, resulting from its action about the plight of the people so affected.

“We are, however, not oblivious of the fact that security matters are not often for public consumption, but not in perilous situations. Citizens’ confidence need to be strengthened, with resounding reassurances. Government should not reduce itself to just issuing light press statements on security upheavals.

“As stakeholders, we strongly believe that the repeated killings are blameworthy, and no one found culpable in this gross act of negligence should be spared. In all honesty, all erring personnel would have been dealt with decisively by now or they themselves should have honorably resigned, as oftentimes seen in other climes.”

In the main, Mungono while briefing reporters at the end of a meeting with Katsina Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, at the Government House, said government was disturbed over the mass killing of residents across a number of communities in the area.

“These incidents have become extremely intolerable and unacceptable both for the federal and state governments,” he said, explaining that the security chiefs were in Katsina on a directive from President Muhammadu Buhari.

The NSA continued, “Mr President directed that I come with my colleagues, the Director-General of the DSS, the Director-General of the NIA, the Inspector-General of Police and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, to have open and frank discussions with the governor of Katsina State regarding the occurrences of the last couple of weeks.

“We have identified some gaps and we need to fill them and we also need to know what is behind these problems and address them from a collective point of view.

“Since we have realised where the gaps are, it is our intention to work collectively not just as security agencies but also working in partnership with the state government and also bring in the wider society.

“If you recall, a National Security Strategy was launched a few months ago by the office of the National Security Adviser and it has emphasis on human security as the centre point of the National Security Strategy of 2019.

“We are going to look into the areas that specify on national security strategy to bring to end the current threat facing not only Katsina State but also some other states including Zamfara, Kaduna, Kebbi and Sokoto, among others.”