in Nigeria’s North-Central region.
The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) led by the Sultan of
Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar has expressed concern that some
individuals and groups it described as ‘crying more than the
bereaved’ over Southern Kaduna killings are sabotaging government
efforts in bringing lasting peace to the region.
The Muslim group also noted that unguarded utterances of some
citizens including elder statesmen, whom it alleged are making
economic fortunes out of the Southern Kaduna crisis, are
frustrating the peacebuilding effort in the region.
JNI in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Secretary-General,
Dr Khalid Abubakar, however, called on both the Federal and State
governments to act fast to ensure that such groups do not
jeopardise the already fragile situation in Southern Kaduna, but
step up efforts to bring an end to the crises.
While it called for caution and restraint from all parties
involved in the conflict, JNI, however, admitted that
ethnoreligious conflicts are not easy to manage, and urged all
parties to rise to the occasion to forestall its recurrence in
Kaduna state, as it is often said, a stitch in time saves nine.
“It is very clear that some interest groups cried wolf than the
bereaved in the present circumstance and thus, the need for
government to quickly act before such interest groups exacerbate
the already precarious situation that could jeopardize frantic
efforts aimed at restoring law and order through dialogue and
commitment for peace with all relevant stakeholders in the state,”
the statement added.
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“The JNI observed carefully with serious concern the unfortunate
unfolding events of blood-letting and serial killings, as well as
the resultant inflammatory commentaries being aired which are
utterly condemnable in their entirety.
“We strongly believe that the politically-driven crisis is being
deliberately turned into an ethnoreligious conflict of worrisome
dimension.
“We have nonetheless observed with dismay the unguarded
utterances of some citizens including elder statesmen, who through
the print, electronic and social media, are at best should be doing
everything possible to curtail the tensed situation but instead
prefer to serve as conflict entrepreneurs in exasperating the
already worsened situation.”
The statement also commiserated with the families of the victims
of the inhuman attacks and particularly condoled with the parents
as well as guardians who lost their children/wards in the
crises.
“May Allah, the Most High console them all, while those that
sustained injuries, may He grant them quick recovery. Aamin,” it
said.
“We must not, however, relent in fervent prayers to Allah, for
an end to the too many bloodbaths in Nigeria, while calling on
government at all levels, as well as security agencies to do more
in tackling insecurity in Nigeria, as there would not be
development without peace and security.”