By Muhammed Saheed
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar III, has told the Federal Government that Nigerians have the right to submit their displeasures and grievances over the rampant killings in the country, particularly in the North.
This statement is coming 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.
Speaking as the leader of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam, the Sultan in the statement faulted the security agencies over what he tagged as “unconcerned attitude in the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes in the country”, saying they seemed to be overwhelmed by the problem.
“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”, the statement read.
It continues: ‘’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.
Providing insights into what the government can do to nip the menace of security in the bud, the Sultan of Sokoto said robust actions and not ordinary verbal condemnations should be carried out.
He also decried how people in authorities have left victims helpless, saying that bandits are emboldened by government’s inaction.
‘’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.
The JNI also called out security stakeholders for failing in their duty to protect the lives of the citizens, telling them to resign honourably if they are overwhelmed by the situation.
‘’We are, however, not oblivious of the fact that security matters are not often for public consumption, but not in perilous situations. Citizens’ confidence needs 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 honourably resigned, as oftentimes seen in other climes.
