insurgency by the Boko Haram sect came yesterday from the Nigerian Supreme
Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji
Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.
The Muslim body urged the sect to end killings and accept the
Federal Government’s amnesty plan.
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday ended his diplomatic
visit to southern Africa to attend to the fresh insecurity challenge which
occurred in Nasarawa State on Tuesday, where members of a suspected local cult
ambushed Policemen. The casualty figure of the Policemen has risen to 30, while
the widows of the slain officer trooped to the streets in protest yesterday.
Also, the Presidential committee on amnesty has met with one
of the leaders of the sect, Kabiru Sokoto.
The NSCIA made the appeal in a statement issued by its new
secretary, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, at the end of a meeting in Kaduna.
The council also condemned the Baga and Bama massacres in
Borno State, which it described as heinous crimes against humanity, and called
on the Federal Government to immediately set up a judicial commission of
inquiry to ensure that justice is done. The statement read:
“The council calls on the insurgents to accept the amnesty
that may be offered by the Federal Government and stop further spilling of
blood and wanton destruction of property.
The Federal Government should, as a matter of urgency, call
to order those making inflammatory statements on the forthcoming elections so
that the fragile peace in the country will not be jeopardized.
“The council strongly condemns the Baga and Bama massacre as
heinous crimes against humanity, and calls upon the Federal Government to
immediately set up a judicial commission of inquiry to ensure that justice is
done. The council frowns at the continual failure of the state and Federal
Government to implement the white paper of their commissions/panels of inquiry
on various ethno-religious crises and conflicts in the country.
“The council calls on the Federal Government to act
immediately to restore normalcy and ensure enduring peace and security by
resettling and protecting Muslims that have been unjustly displaced in crisis
ridden areas including Tafawa Balewa in Bauchi State, scores of villages in
Wase local government in Plateau State as well as in Southern Kaduna where
Muslims had been massively massacred sequel to the 2011 general elections.
“The council urges all Nigerians to join hands with the
Federal Government and other well-meaning Nigerians regardless of religion or
geo-political affiliations, to fight corruption. The council states
unequivocally that hijab is a religious obligation for Muslim ladies, as such;
government agencies and private organizations should forthwith stop the
harassment and persecution of Muslim ladies on the account of observing it.”
Nasarawa State Police commissioner, Abayomi Akeremale, told
reporters that the death toll had risen to 30. He said that no arrest had been
made so far but added that a manhunt was on for the perpetrators.
Thw widows of the fallen policemen barricaded the
Akanga-Lafia road and disrupted traffic for hours.
A statement by President Jonathan’s spokesman yesterday
disclosed the delegation to Namibia returned home yesterday evening. The
president was billed to hold a crucial meeting with security chiefs last night.
Meanwhile, the Presidential Committee on Dialogue and
Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North has begun consultations
with relevant persons who are connected with the ongoing insurgency in the
north.
All 25 members of the committee were in Kuje Minimum Security
Prison, Abuja yesterday to meet suspected members of the dreaded Boko Haram
sect being detained in the facility.
About 40 suspected members of the group are being held in
Kuje Prison including Kabiru Sokoto, the prime suspect in the 2011 Christmas
Day bombing of St. Theresa Catholic Church, Madalla, near Abuja.
The delegation was led by the Minister of Special Duties,
Kabiru Tanimu Turaki and was received at the prison yard by Assistant
Comptroller of Prisons, Mr Nuhu Zuru after which they met the sect members in
closed session for consultations for about three hours.
The chairman told to State House correspondents that the
consultation was in furtherance of its assignment to obtain necessary
information that would give the committee a better perspective of the security
challenges.
