The apex Islamic body in the North, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), has identified lack of implementation of relevant reports as the main reason why Boko Haram insurgency has persisted
The body in a communique signed by its Secretary General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar, at the end of its special meeting on the security situation in the country said that useful recommendations in reports of various committees and commissions of enquiry on insurgency and similar crimes had not been faithfully implemented.
According to t group, the development has led to culprits being unpunished, therefore encouraging others to commit more crimes in the society.
“Useful recommendations in reports of various Committees/Commissions of Enquiry on insurgencies and similar crimes were not implemented leading to culprits being unpunished thereby encouraging others to commit more crimes,” it said.
The apex Islamic body also identified the manifest low morale of troops due to inadequate welfare, lack of desired weaponry and failure of Intelligence among other reasons’ as factors hindering the fight against insurgency.
JNI further pointed out that the government has to consider alternative means of finding final solutions to the menace of Boko Haram, like infrastructural development, youth employment programs and stepping-up the dialogue option, instead of depending on force alone which has so far proved to be ineffective.
“the current security challenges bedeviling the country persist largely as a result of the inability of Government to deploy effective strategies to tackle them. For Nigeria to regain and maintain its glory anchored on peace and progress Government must wake up to its fundamental Constitutional responsibility of providing adequate security to the citizens of this country so as to stop the increasing human carnage and destruction of valuable properties,” It said.
JNI also noted that despite the devastation accompanied by the incessant bombings which has led to huge losses of innocent lives as well as gross destruction of properties, politicians at all levels and in all political parties regrettably show very scanty or no concern about the national predicament and anguish but are only busy with political campaigns.
“That there is urgent need to deploy necessary Intelligence and Security measures to curtail or possibly stop the illegal importation and proliferation of arms and ammunition that is contributing to the escalation of insurgency and other related criminal activities. That the welfare and benefits of our gallant troops and other security personnel who are deceased, wounded or alive and on active service should be appropriately and speedily attended to, in order to bring succor to the bereaved families of the dead and boost the morale of those in service thereby avoiding further desertion and mutiny. That Civilian JTFs, Hunters and retired Security Officers, who have gallantly been assisting Nigerian Security Forces in the fight against insurgency, cattle rustling and other crimes should be given all the necessary support and encouragement as their intervention has helped positively in Frontline States. That Muslims are strongly urged to defend themselves, in appropriate manner against any attack by insurgents and all other acts of violence by criminals, as it is a religious obligation to do so, particularly that government forces currently seem to be incapable,” it said.
The Islamic body, however, advised that adequate security should be provided in all Mosques, Churches, Schools, Markets, Motor Parks etc., and that people should be extra vigilant in the aforementioned places as well as give maximum assistance to Security Forces in the regard.
“That the government should as a matter of utmost priority and urgency take all necessary measures to alleviate the sufferings of the Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees from mainly Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States as well as other crisis ridden areas to forestall the deterioration of the social and security situation in those States. The Victims’ Support Fund should be appropriately and judiciously utilized for this purpose. That the Government and its relevant agencies should urgently re-open the Maiduguri International Airport and provide adequate security to facilitate regular flights and not to make it an exclusive reserve of some favoured politicians,” it said.
It called on government to be sincere in its fight against corruption, and also called on all agencies saddled with the responsibility of fighting corruption to do so without fear or favour.
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The Islamic body further noted that Muslim Scholars and Muslim Leaders must stand up to their rightful positions of piety and righteousness in order to discharge their obligation of guiding the Ummah (Muslim Community) especially as it pertains to matters of unity, security and safety.
JNI urged all Nigerians to intensify prayers to beseech the Almighty Allah to bring back peace, security and prosperity to the country, adding that all Nigerians should see the prevailing security challenges as a common menace that needs all hands to contain and most importantly be one another’s keeper in sincerity, justice and fairness.
Meanwhile, the terrorists group recently struck at the 301 mammy market, the only military barrack in Gombe State, with sporadic shooting after a bomb reportedly exploded.
