SOKOTO TRAGEDY: CAN, Sultan decry worsening state of insecurity

Disturbed by the rising wave of killings in the country, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN; and the Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar 111, yesterday, lamented that Nigerians were now being killed like chickens.

They also urged the Federal Government to do more to halt the deadly trend beyond condemning the killings.

CAN and JNI spoke on a day bandits killed 16 persons in a mosque in Niger State.

Condemning the murder of 23 innocent travellers by terrorists in Sokoto State and many other attacks on citizens by criminals, CAN said the killings had further shown how human life was cheaper than that of chickens today in Nigeria.

In a statement, Rev John Joseph Hayab, Vice Chairman, CAN of the 19 Northern states and Abuja, said the religious body was concerned that “the terrorists have taken their crime against Nigerians too far” and called on the Federal Government and governors in the Northern states, especially in the North- West, to take strong measures to stop this evil permanently.”

He continued: “How can people be productive when they are living in perpetual fear of terrorists in their homes and everywhere they go? Security of lives and property is a serious government business but what we are seeing today is how some of our leaders are playing politics with a serious matter that has almost destroyed the peace, joy and hope of the citizens.

“CAN is appealing to security agencies to stop the unhealthy competition among them and work together in unity for the common good of all Nigerians. Our security agencies have all it will take to defeat these terrorists.”

Govt appears unperturbed — JNI

Also speaking on a day that the House of Representatives urged President Muhammadu Buhari to deploy more military personnel to Sokoto State to tackle the menace, the JNI said no fewer than 40 people and not 23 were burnt along Sabon Birni-Sokoto Road, in Sokoto State.

The JNI said, in a statement: “It is forbidden for human life to be killed unjustly, let alone burning it. And in all climes, the government is essentially in place to protect and safe-guard human life from being killed.

‘’Besides, Chapter 2 of the Nigerian Constitution unambiguously affirms that human life is sacrosanct. It is, therefore, utterly disgusting, heartrending and unprecedented the waylaying of unarmed innocent and defenseless passengers and their subsequent burning beyond recognition by the heartless and rampaging bandits at Gidan Bawa village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

‘’Yet the government isn’t perturbed and no concrete action is seen to have been taken. Even the media outcry is trifled, compared to similar incidences in other parts of Nigeria.’

‘’From all indications, despite the establishment of combined security forces along known routes where bandits operate, they still carry out their dastardly acts freely. Isn’t it treacherous and heartless that by plying major roads within North-West – Nigeria, defenseless citizens are allowed to be flocked into kidnappers’ den and thereafter negotiations for ransom payment are initiated?

‘’What is Nigeria turning into, a lawless entity? Amid the Sabon Birni episode, just this morning (Thursday, 9th December, 2021), 16 people were reportedly killed in a mosque at Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State.

‘’What really is the matter that the government has not been able to halt the operations of bandits against innocent citizens, particularly in North-Western Nigeria? We are compelled to assume that the government seems oblivious to the sufferings and agonies of its citizens as a result of the relentless activities of these bandits.

“Nevertheless, JNI condemns in the strongest terms this senseless and barbaric act, along with other equally disheartened bloodletting and carnage.

‘’Likewise, all other acts of arson attacks, attempted prison jail breaks, bomb blasts in Oyo, Kogi, Plateau, Yobe and Borno states and many of such irrepressible acts stand condemned by the JNI. But for how long, shall we continue to condemn acts of extreme violence without any concerted efforts in ending them?

“For how long, would we continue to remain indifferent? And for how long would we continue to remain hopeless in this precarious situation? The most disturbing dimension of this situation is the apparent government’s inability to confront this monstrous trend head-on.

‘’Our position is reinforced by the government’s inaction to hold erring security officials responsible. In other words, there is a clear essence of lack of accountability, security chiefs and their subordinates appear not to be made to pay for their inaction or irresponsibility.

“We reiterate our calls on the Federal Government to rise to its primary-cum-constitutional responsibility of protecting and securing citizens, and do well beyond condemnation on security-related matters.

‘’Nigerians are desperately yearning for concrete actions against all forms of criminalities. Silence is not golden given the most unfortunate spate of horrendous butchery of human lives in the Nigerian state…

“The Northern Governors’ Forum should rise above board and collectively end the new normal eroding the heritage of the North. They should learn from their colleagues of the southern extraction.

‘’Cases in point are the ongoing debate of the death of a student of Dowen College and the eight children that were reportedly found dead in a Honda Pilot Jeep marked AAA 157 BD, at Adelayo Street, Jah-Machael Area of Olorunda, all in Lagos state.

‘’Similarly, Ondo State governor stood for its citizens that were murdered in Plateau State some months ago. The Federal Government should be seen to be proactive on security matters, as well as assure and assuage citizens’ fears at critical moments of grief.

‘’The recurrent security challenges, such as kidnappings, armed robberies, rising bomb blasts and attack of Boko Haram cum ISWAP insurgents, in addition to ethnic violence here and there within Nigeria, is alarming. Government needs to wake up as citizens are becoming more and more agitated.”

Reps urge Buhari to deploy military personnel to Sokoto

Meanwhile, concerned by the spate of killings in Sokoto, the House of Representatives, yesterday, urged President Buhari to deploy more military personnel to Sokoto State.

The call followed the consideration of a motion of urgent public importance at plenary, moved by Mohmmed Bargaja from Sokoto State.

Moving the motion, the lawmaker condemned the attack which resulted in the death of 23 travellers.

He also expressed worry over cases of massive killings, kidnappings and other social vices which he said were now on the increase.

Adopting the motion, the House appealed to the President to intervene urgently.

On a similar note, the House also sought the acquisition of modern boats to help reduce the incidence of mishaps on the waterways.

The resolution was sequel to the consideration of a motion titled, “Unfortunate Boat Mishap at Bagwai and Badau of Shanono/Bagwai Federal Constituency, Kano State,” moved by Hon. Ahmed Yusuf Badau .

Moving the motion, Badau noted the recent boat accident which resulted in the death of 42 passengers at Watari Dam in Bagwai Local Government Area of Kano State.

He also noted that people of Bagwai, Badau and other communities bordering the Watari Dam weremostly farmers who transport their produce to other parts of the state through the waters, and thus depend on the Watari Dam for their day-to-day livelihood.

Adopting the motion, the House urged the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to pay a condolence visit to the families of the victims and provide modern boats to enable the people to travel safely along the Watari Dam.

The House also directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management to provide relief materials for the victims just as he mandated the Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness to ensure compliance with the resolution.