Independent Hajj Reporters, a civil society organisation has expressed its shock over the Abuja Mall blast that claimed the life of a colleague, Suleiman Bisalla, and dozens others on Wednesday.Bisalla, until his death, was the Managing Editor (Northern Operation) of the New Telegraph Newspaper and formerly a Deputy Editor of Daily Trust.
A statement signed by its national coordinator, Ibrahim Muhammed and publicity secretary, Abubakar Mahmoud, said Bisalla’s death is great loss to journalism in Nigeria.
”Once again, we are saddened that the cascading bombings and killings of innocent Nigerians by wicked elements had claimed the life of a committed, gentle, and humble journalist in the person of Suleiman
Bisalla, the Managing Editor (Northern Operation) of the New Telegraph Newspaper, and former Deputy Editor of Daily Trust,” the statement said.
The statement enjoined government to view this act of wickedness as a crime against humanity and tackle it with all the seriousness it deserves.
“If an attack of such magnitude can take place in a city centre at the Federal Capital of Nigeria, then we are constrained to say that nowhere is safe in Nigeria.
“While we pray for the soul of our departed our colleague, we therefore urge the federal government to wake up to the frightening reality that Nigerians are beginning to lose hope on the ability of the government to protect them. We need a proactive measure that can foil such attacks and not the usual lamentation and empty rhetoric that is yet to halt or prevent the mindless killings going on in the country.
“If you have ever lost a loved one, then you know exactly how it feels. And if you have not, then you cannot possibly imagine it,” the statement said.
The group expresses its “condolence to the families of late Bissala Suleiman – whom they described as true professional that have contributed immensely to the development of journalism in Nigeria. We pray that May Almighty Allah grant him Al-Jannat firdaus.”
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