By; DAHIRU SULEIMAN, Dutse
Disturbed by the incessant killing of innocent souls unabated in the North- Western part of the country and beyond, the conglomeration of members of Council of Ulamas of Nigeria has issued a stern warning demanding a halt to the nefarious attitude or to seek divine intervention from God.
In a statement issued and signed at the end of its emergency session in Dutse the Jigawa State capital, the forum’s chairman, Ustaz Aminu Inua Muhammad said, “The Ulama Forum in Nigeria is greatly concerned and saddened over the perpetual killing of innocent lives going on unabated in Nigeria, especially in the North West of the country in recent times, which ought to be condemned by all and sundry”.
It added, “we also felt touched over the dastardly and inhuman act of burning alive of 23 passengers in Sokoto State. We are equally sad over loss of lives witnessed in Niger, Kaduna, Zamfara and Katsina states over the last one week which are heart touching, frustrating and to say the least unpardonable. It is highly inconceivable how bandits and terrorists moved about freely in the land, committing heinous acts and atrocities unchecked by the power of government and its security agencies.”
The Ulamas condemned the actions of terrorists who have desecrated all religious, human and universal values and indeed, have lost their faith and humanity, stressing that, “they must be confronted head-on with might and power. We strongly urge the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to sit up to its responsibility of protecting the lives of Nigerian citizens.”
It would be recalled that in the year 2020, out of similar concern over the deteriorating trend of insecurity, the Ulama Forum had advanced nearly a dozen suggestions to the governments at all levels to curb the Boko Haram menace, banditry and other security challenges facing the Northern region.
“It is sad to note that most of our suggestions were ignored and security situation in the country has been moving from bad to worse.
“Based on the foregoing, we would like to once more urge the FGN to re-assess its security strategies and spending with a view to unfolding a more holistic and all-inclusive approach. We believe that divine intervention is a most potent weapon against the bandits, insurgents and their collaborators. To this end, members of the forum have resolved to devote themselves to alqunut (special prayer in times of turmoil) during each prayer session.
“Similarly, special prayers should be observed in Madaaris (Islamiyyah Schools) and other places of gathering. We pray to Allah to give our leaders the listening ears to hear the cries of its weak, terrorized and terrified citizens, particularly in the North. May they have the wisdom, will, determination and ability to do the needful and ensure peace and security in the land. There is no power or strength save in Allah.May Allah help us in this regard, ameen.”
Endorsed by the Following Members and Scholars
01 Malam Aminu Inuwa Muhammad – ConvenerKano
02 Prof. Mansur Ibrahim mni Sokoto
03 Dr. Bashir Aliyu UmarKano
04 Dr. Abubakar Muhamad Sani B/KuduJigawa
05 Dr. Khalid Abubakar AliyuKaduna.
Others include Prof. Muhammad Babangida MuhammadKano
07 Dr Said Ahmad DukawaKano
08 Prof. Salisu ShehuBauchi
09 Prof. Ahmad Bello DogarawaKaduna
10 Mal Ahmad Bello Abu MaimoonaKatsina
11 Dr. Muhammad Alhaji AbubakarBorno
12 Malam Muhammad Lawal Maidoki, Sadaukin SokotoSokoto
13 Malam Aminu Aliyu GusauZamfara
14 Mal Shehu Muhammad MaishanuZamfara
15 Prof Muhammad Amin Al-AminKatsina, among others.
16 Barr. Ibrahim Muhammad AttahirGombe
Dr. Salisu IsmailJigawa
Dr. Abubakar SaiduGombe
Engr. Ahmad Y. M. JumbaBauchi
Amir Abdullahi Abubakar LamidoGombe
Dr. Ibrahim Adam Omar DisinaBauchi Prof. Ahmad MurtalaKano
23 Prof. Usman M. Shuaibu ZunnurainKatsina
24 Sheikh Ibrahim KhalilKano
24 Sheikh Tijjani Bala KalarawiKano
25 Ustaz Sani Shu’aibuKano
26 Dr Matbuli Shehu KabaraKano
27 Sheikh Abdullahi Salihu AikawaKano
28 Ustaz Nuru Adam GaladanchiKano
29 Prof Awwal Ibrahim MagashiKano
30 Engr. Basheer Adamu Aliyu – SecretaryKano
