SULTAN, OTHERS BEG BOKO HARAM

A PLEA for an end to 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.  

Source: Compass