By Lola Idahosa.Kaduna
Former Governor f Lagos State and National Leader of All Progressives Congress,APC,Bola Tinubu has commiserated with the victims of Kano Mosque bomb explosion and attack. “During the last few days, Nigeria has suffered intense attacks and grave loss of lives due to the evil work of terrorist group, Boko Haram.
“ Attacks against numerous locations in the northeast demonstrate how heinous and debased Boko Haram and those who sponsor it have become. So depraved, they have become heartless and filled with enmity against all that is good and proper. This was not the act of human beings. These attacks could only have come from the hands of those who do not know God or Serve God. This is the act of godless people.
“The hand of evil, deploying those who have given themselves over to wickedness, committed this terrible thing. No reason can be found for what was done except that Boko Haram has once again shown its lust for innocent blood and its disdain for life peacefully lived. Boko Haram killed people praying to God because the god of Boko Haram is Satan himself.
According to Tinubu , “Boko Haram seeks to scare and intimidate Christian and Muslim alike through wanton destruction. They may attack us but never shall this evil force subdue us. Christian and Muslim must stand arm-in-arm to face down this terrorist onslaught.
“Those of us who love peace, who love unity and who love Nigerian can never allow this vile group to achieve its objective – to turn us into a bloodied and divided nation. Nigeria can and will defeat this terrorist machine and those behind it. We have no other home. We have no other choice.
“I commiserate with the people of Kano and their Emir, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi. Also with the leaders and people of other locations that have come under attack such as Bauchi, Borno and parts of Yobe.
On its part, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has seriously condemned the lackadaisical, selfish and nonchalant attitudes of Nigerian ruling class towards resolving the ongoing heightening insecurity in the country arising from attacks, kidnapping and bombardments on the heels of attacks in Kano, Adamawa and Borno States
CISLAC in a statement by its Executive Director ,Auwal Ibrahim Musa {Rafsanjani) said “It worrisome that despite the intensity of attacks in various parts of the country, the ruling class has refused to engage in constructive dialogue to bring end to insurgency; as their family members and relatives are excluded from the attacks. Instead of making sincere effort towards constructive dialogue, they are caught in various conspiracies to make live unbearable for innocent citizens. This among other things validates the reports that the attacks are reinforced by political battle triggered by continuous bloody struggles towards sustaining their miserable positions in 2015 and beyond.
“In addition to the aforementioned, Former Governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, and Former Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika who were indicted in Steven Davis’s report for sponsoring the insurgents are brazenly found in political reckoning and supported to deliberate on national issues. It is shameful that despite such serious indictment, the Former Governor is leading the front to campaign for the ruling People Democratic Party (PDP). This shows lack of sincerity by the government in fighting the insurgents.
CISLAC said it finds continuous massacre—under the pretence of religion, of innocent men, women and children from both Muslim and Christians’ communities totally obnoxious and undesirable; as both religious strongly forbade unjustified attacks against innocent individuals and preach peace and unity.
It also wondered that while in the last four years, huge financial resources are committed to security and defence annually from national budget, yet the fight against the insurgents rages on with deadly consequences. It is regrettable,CISLAC said that the insecurity has been reportedly remained persistent and intensified by bloody interests accrued to some unpatriotic parties, who benefit largely from security vote; as well as rampant corrupt practice and mismanagement flooding the security sector.
“It is embarrassing that on several occasions, the State Security Service has told Nigerians deceptive stories of thousands insurgent members it has arrested without useful information so far to curtail subsequent attacks; as well as lack of sincere effort to thoroughly investigate Sheriff and Ihejirika for their contributions towards the insecurity. Similarly, Nigerian security forces have made series of scandalous claims to have killed leader of the insurgents with his subsequent resurface in new videos.
“Given the daily massacres and destruction of property across the country by the insurgents, various reports are of opinion that upgrading arms and ammunition for the nation’s Armed Forces to tackle the insurgents would be of no benefit without constructive strategy to end the unwary attacks.
As concerned communities declared readiness by exploring the idea of Civil Joint Task Force to strategically brainstorm on the effective medium and collaborate with Nigerian security forces towards combating the insurgents, government has denied them adequate support to bring insurgency to an end. Consequently, the communities remain the worst hit by attacks by insurgents.
Apart from being the victims of regular attacks, security personnel are not adequately equipped, fortified and compensated to curtail the attacks; and the degree of attacks by the insurgents have clearly indicated they are well positioned to be at advantage of the ongoing calamity.
While the Armed Forces groan in midst of poor working conditions and inadequate equipment, the Government has showed no appreciative effort to call to account the natural and artificial persons who have mismanaged various security contracts resulting in failure in national security
“Meanwhile, the recurring nature of numerous attacks have rendered thousands homeless without means of livelihood to suffer a lot of depravity and other forms of hardship including loss of income from inability to work in places where they are relocated as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) across the country. The vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women and the aged are persistently kept under trees and in uncompleted houses and left uncared for. Also, victims and communities of previous attacks have not been adequately compensated, rehabilitated nor reintegrated into their communities
CISLAC made some recommendation including calling “on National Assemble for prompt declaration of State of Emergency in Nigerian security sector; for the unresolved massacre of innocent citizens and mismanagement of national security vote. CISLAC calls on immediate support and intervention by international community into the ongoing mischievous and bloodshed of innocent citizens.
“CISLAC demands immediate and patriotic efforts to recover and return the mismanaged and looted various security funds back to the treasury; thorough and exhaustive audit of defence spending since the return to civil rule in 1999 by National Assembly and other relevant stakeholders; constructive and sincere efforts by all levels of government and relevant stakeholders to strategically dialogue with the insurgent and bring the merciless attacks to an end; rapid provision of sufficient means of livelihood in terms of food supplies and medicine to mitigate the plights of internally displaced persons, especially women, children and the elderly.”
Also, the Jama’atu Nasril islam (JNI ) has condemned the Kano mosque bomb blast in which scores Muslim faithful died,alleging that the act could be part of a conspiracy to justify the extension of emergency rule in the Northeast.
Speaking at world press conference in Kaduna on Sunday,the Secretary General of the JNI,Dr.Khalid Abubakar Aliyu said in spite of the carnage in the Kano mosque,the JNI would not be deterred nor cowed in observing the way and manner Muslims are being killed in Nigeria, particularly the North.
“Therefore, we are indeed shocked and pained beyond words over the news of the bomb blasts in Kano Central Mosque, which claimed the lives of over one hundred innocent Muslims (only Allah, can ascertain the total number of death toll) that have gone for worship and within a twinkle of an eye sporadic shootings ensued targeting worshipers that tried escaping the inferno. In a similar day, precisely Friday, 20th of January, 2012, several coordinated bomb blasts rocked Kano, yet no body was prosecuted and nothing is done to protect the lives of the citizenry.”
“But must blood be spilled to justify the extension of State of Emergency? Why is it that any time, the ineffective State of Emergency is about to elapse and or an extension is being sought, attacks are carried out with sophistication? Are we really aware of the repercussions of spilling the blood of innocent souls? What is the essence of the Government’s War on Terror and its attendant huge budget? Where are the Intelligence and Security Agencies? Can we afford to continue relying on them for our safety and security? Why? Why? Why? We ask ad infinitum with no satisfactory answers. Without mincing words, Nigeria is being misgoverned to the Brink!”
The JNI condemned in the strongest term, the repeated acts of terror being unleashed on Muslims and called on Muslims to remain calm and keep vigil over happenings around them, take all defensive measures within the purview of the laws to protect themselves since government had clearly failed.
“We deeply sympathize with all the affected victims of the recent Maiduguri Monday Market Bomb Blast, the Mubi attacks and the Kano Central Mosque Bomb Blast and also console the families of those who lost their lives in the unfortunate incidents. May Aljannatul Firdaus be the abode of all the deceased, Amin.”
“As usual, JNI calls on all authorities concerned to be manifestly committed to their responsibility of protecting the lives and properties of Nigerians as no development can be achieved in a situation of fear, insecurity and chaos. All hands must be on deck to stop these persistent massacres of lives and properties, as Nigeria is now a theater of needless blood loss.”
“All Imams and their respective followers are urged to intensify special prayers, because according to the Prophet (PBUH) “Prayer is the weapon for the believer”. Therefore, prayers like HASBUNALLAHU WANI’MAL WAKIL AND LA HAULA WALA QUWWATA ILLA BILLAH, AND INNA LILLAHI WA’INNA ILLAIHI RAJI’UN, among others should be repeatedly recited as much as one could. Likewise we reiterate the previous directives of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, on Al-Qunuut for peace and security to be restored in Nigeria. Respective Mosque Management Committees must be strengthened to handle all eventualities, likewise Muslim communities.”
“May Allah, The All-Mighty, The Compeller, The Supreme, and The All-Knowing, bring an end to this scourging evil, put to shame the perpetrators, uncover their evil plans and grant us lasting peace, security and a promising future full of happiness and development, Amin,”they said.
Reacting to the explosion, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) in a statement by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola said “We are devastated by the high toll, the callousness and the barbarism. We pray that Allah forgives those who died in this monumental tragedy and reserves lofty places for them in Aljannah Firdaus. We also pray for quick recovery for the injured.
“Our condolences go to Governor Kwankwaso and the Emir of Kano, His Eminence, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
MURIC said “Even as we mourn, we call on Nigerians to take note of the lessons inherent in the gruesome attack.
“First and foremost, those behind the killings and destructions make no distinction between Christians and Muslims. We have a common enemy and all the accusations and counter-accusations since the beginning of the insurgency have been a waste of both energy and time.
“Secondly, those who thought they could ignite a religious war between Christians and Muslims have miscalculated. It has become glaring that the blood-sucking monsters who are responsible for all these killings are religion-blind. Both the leaders and followers of both faiths should therefore close ranks and sink all differences to the chagrin of the enemies of peace.
“Thirdly, all places of worship need protection. The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) therefore condemns the concentration of the security agencies on churches at the expense of mosques. Such a strategy is not only defeatist but also lacks clear vision.
“Fourthly, it is becoming clearer everyday that instead of becoming weak, Boko Haram is getting stronger five years into insurgency. Yet instead of facing this rebellion headlong, President Jonathan has procrastinated for too long and shown more interest in extending his rule.
“Finally, if it is true that a family that prays together stays together, MURIC suggests joint prayer sessions by Christian and Muslim groups all over the country. Our destinies are tied together. Let us pray together to survive together and to keep the country together. We also call for greater vigilance particularly in places where people assemble. There is also an urgent need for all Christian clergymen and Islamic scholars to be more security conscious.
