Nigeria turning into theatre of bloodshed – JNI

The apex Islamic body in Northern Nigeria, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has condemned the explosions that killed scores in Kaduna on Wednesday, lamenting that Nigeria is becoming a theatre of bloodshed.

In a statement issued by its Secretary General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, JNI said, “We are dazzled over the news of the explosions in Kaduna City, which killed many innocent Muslims in a Tafseer closing session of Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, held at Murtala Muhammad Square, Kaduna and within a short while another blast was said to have rocked Kawo in the city.

“We therefore, condemn in the strongest term these repeated acts of terror being unleashed on the Muslims, in this blessed month of Ramadan.

“JNI equally sympathizes with all the affected victims and also consoles with the families of those who lost their lives in the unfortunate incident. May Aljannatul Firdaus be the abode of all the deceased, Amin.

“As usual, JNI calls on all authorities concerned to be more committed to their responsibilities of protecting the lives and properties of Nigerians as no development can be achieved in a situation of fear, insecurity and chaos.

“All hands must be on deck to stop these perpetual massacres of lives and properties, as Nigeria is becoming a theatre of lost of blood for no just cause, which must be stopped.

“Muslims should utilise the remaining days of Ramadan to complain to Allah, The Most Merciful, through vigorous supplications for relief, succour and ease against the evil masterminds of the nagging insecurity bedeviling our country.

“May Allah, the All-Mighty, The Compeller, The Supreme, and The All-Knowing, bring an end to this nagging evil, disgrace the perpetrators and grant us lasting peace, security, prosperity and a promising future full of happiness and development, Amin,” the statement read.

Nigeria turning into theatre of bloodshed – JNI

Counter-terrorism: Military not targeting Muslims, Fulani, says DHQ

The Defence Headquarters yesterday said the military is not targeting either Muslims or Fulani for elimination in its counter-terrorism strategy.

It said the military has remained non-partisan and non-sectarian.

The Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, faulted allegations of religious and ethnic cleansing by Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI).

The DHQ said: “The statement issued by the Secretary General of Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI), Dr Khalid Abubakar Aliyu alleging extra-judicial killing of Muslims and people of Fulani ethnic group by the Nigerian military is spurious and inflammatory.

“Much as the military is reluctant to join issues with a respectable religious organisation like JNI, the need to set the records straight makes this response imperative.

“The Nigerian military remains non-partisan, non-sectarian and will continue to be the symbol of patriotism and a unifying factor in the face of threats to national sovereignty.

“If this wild allegation was meant to cause disaffection or brew disharmony within the military, then it has woefully failed as the Nigerian military does not operate along religious or ethnic lines.

“Contrary to the false claims, no law abiding individual, faith, ethnic group or organisation is being targeted as alleged by JNI.”

The Defence Headquarters advised JNI not to join propagandists who are trying to run down the military.

The statement said: “It is unfortunate that the unjust imputation is coming from respectable and responsible organisation like JNI.

“We urge the body not to join in the fray of propagandists bent on discrediting genuine efforts at finding solutions to the nation’s security challenges.

“The military will continue to be driven by patriotism and commitment to the cause of the nation and its law abiding citizens.

“All responsible organisations are requested to cooperate in the efforts at addressing the nation’s security challenges rather than compound the problem.

“Individuals with similar prejudices are advised to abandon such biases as the challenges at hand call for prayers and support of all well-meaning organisations and groups instead of trying to turn the public against the military.

“Rather, all responsible organisations should be more interested in seeking solutions to the nation’s security challenges.

“It must be noted that the Armed Forces comprises Nigerians from all religious persuasions and cannot be used against any particular religion as purported. The military will not be distracted by unfair imputations from any quarter.

The DHQ assured Nigerians that it would not shield anyone from justice.

It added: “For the avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian military and other security agencies do not have any policy, agenda or plans to perpetrate massacre or extra judicial killing of law abiding citizens.

“The authorities have no reason to take side or shield anyone from justice.

“Individuals apprehended in the course of counter-terrorism campaign will continue to have access to justice as provided by law.”

Counter-terrorism: Military not targeting Muslims, Fulani, says DHQ

National Conference: Sultan of Sokoto, Muslim leaders protest marginalisation

By Ehi Ekhator

Alhaji Saad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, has on Wednesday led a group of aggrieved Muslim leaders to the Presidential Villa to protest to President Goodluck Jonathan, the composition of the ongoing National Conference.

Sultan

The sultan refused to speak with journalists after the meeting with the President, but the Secretary General of Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede said that the President assured that whatever happened is not a deliberate attempt to marginalize Muslims in Nigeria.

Oloyede said : “We came to consult with Mr. President. We are happy we consulted with him, and he has given us reasons to re-assure us that Muslims in Nigeria are not deliberately marginalised and he has asked us to convey the feelings of the government, the genuineness of the government, the fairness of the government to the entire populace.”

“That if there are issues that are not as they ought to be, they were not deliberate and we want to believe that Mr. President told us his mind but we also want to believe that while it is proper to protest, it is also proper to assume that a leader will always be just even if there are mistakes thereafter.”

“We just felt that we must convey the feelings of the Muslims in Nigeria to Mr. President and he has given us his words to re-assure the Muslims community that he is a genuine and committed Christian who will not be unjust to others even,” he added

The jama’atu Nasril islam (JNI) had opposed the composition of the national conference last week, alleging that the number of Christians in the ongoing conference is more than the Muslims, therefore raised alarm on Muslim marginalization.

JNI stressed that the method used in selecting delegates for the Conference was not free and fair. The secretary General of JNI, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu had earlier address journalist in Kaduna, stressing that Muslims were cheated in spite having the largest population in the country.

He said: “Although democracy is a game of numbers, this has not been respected. For instance, While Muslims constitute the majority in the country, Christians, who by all acceptable records are not more than 40 per cent of the country’s population, ironically constitutes 62 per cent of the total delegates.”

“We find it as disrespect to the conscience of the Muslims that of the 20 delegates of the federal government, only six are Muslims. No Muslim is deemed fit to make the list of delegates from the Nigerian Economic summit. In fact in the representation of the security agencies Muslims have been so unimaginably short-changed with only one Muslim out of the six retired military and security personnel, one out of six retired security and NIA officers, and two out of delegates of the Association of Retired Police Officers. This means, of the 18 security experts belonging to these three groups, only 4 (22.2 per cent) are Muslims. The question is, why is this serious short-changing of Muslims in these very sensitive groups?” he stated

Among the delegation are; Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Garbai, former Head of Service of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed, former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mohammad Uwais.

National Conference: Sultan of Sokoto, Muslim leaders protest marginalisation