Declare state of emergency in North West, Niger, Imams, Muslim scholars tell FG

Imams and other Muslim scholars in Kaduna State have called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the North-West and Niger State.

According to them, tackling the menace of banditry in the region needs a holistic approach.

The Islamic clerics also observed that the current strategy adopted to fight banditry is not yielding effective results.

This was made known in a communique signed by Chairman, Shaykh Ibrahim Nakaka and the Secretary General of the Council of Imams and Ulama Kaduna State, Dr Yusuf Yakubu Arrigasiyyu, at the end of a three-day leadership training held at Jama’atu Nasril Islam National Headquarters, Kaduna on Monday.

The council which is an umbrella body of all Imams and Ulama in state irrespective of their sects and intra-religious affiliations noted that, “government at the centre fails to effectively engage with religious leaders towards ending the scourge.”

The statement said mosques are no longer safe as bandits now attack mosques at will, saying families are being threatened by frequent kidnappings of parents and school children in their classes and boarding homes.

“Although, the State Security Service (SSS) are effective in intelligence gathering and sharing, the intelligence reports are however not being effectively and promptly utilized by other organs of governments.

“The alleged support terrorists get from international communities in carrying out their unspeakable activities and wrecking havoc on innocent people is of serious concern and worry,” it said.

The council, therefore, recommended that the “Federal Government is advised as a matter of urgency to recall and re-engage discharged military officers with the requisite expertise and combatant experience to support the existing military officers in engaging bandits and Boko Haram.

“The Federal Government should as a matter of urgency develop various mechanisms of identifying and dealing with saboteurs amongst the Nigeria security agents.

“Communities in Nigeria should begin to develop strategies and mechanisms of protecting themselves against terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements.

“All imams should follow the directive of the Sultan of Sokoto as regards the recitation of special prayers in all their regular prayers.”

The statement also appreciated the active participation and contributions of all the Imams at the training and also thanked Jama’atu Nasiril Islam National headquarters for providing a suitable venue for the training.

Sixty Imams across the 23 local government areas of Kaduna State participated in the training with several paper presentations from Islamic, academic experts and professionals.

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