There is too much bloodshed in the country, govt must act —NSCIA

THE Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has said there is too much bloodshed in the country and that it is the responsibility of government at all levels to stop it.

According to the apex Muslim organisation in Nigeria, of the factors that give any government the legitimacy with which to govern effectively, security is foremost.

It expressed devastation over the orgy of violence and killings being perpetrated across the country and described the latest incident of mass murder in some villages in Plateau State as devilish and calamitous.

In a statement signed by its Deputy Secretary-General, Professor Salisu Shehu, the NSCIA said given that similar incidents had occurred in other states like Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa and Zamfara in recent times, the killings must be stopped as the country could not afford to continue like this.

“The NSCIA sympathises, as usual, with the government and people of Plateau State as well as the families of other innocent Nigerians caught up and killed in that glee of madness.

ALSO READ: Secondary school closed after students held wedding ceremonies among selves

“The Council also urges all Nigerians to desist from resorting to violence as a means of achieving their objectives. They should always think of the implications and consequences of violence, mutual suspicion, hate speech and unwarranted rivalry. Rwanda was not a movie; it was real,” the organisation said.

While condemning the incessant mayhems (initial or reactional), the Council advised the Federal Government to bring security to the rural level across the country and re-strategise the security structure of the country.

“The federal and state governments should accord the security of lives and property of Nigerians its deserved seriousness. Of the factors that give any government the legitimacy with which to govern effectively, security is foremost. In fact, it is the first responsibility of government.

“It is obvious that any situation that fails to guarantee the security of life and property will surely allow for mutual distrust and unsurmountable problems of violence and reprisals that can never augur well for peaceful co-existence.

“As citizens of the same country, we cannot depend on lamentations, expression of condolences and sympathy as the basis of our prayers to God for the stoppage of unnecessary carnage unleashed by some of our countrymen, both state and non-state actors, against others.

“The action required of us is vigilance, truth, fairness and introspection, instead of being pawns in the hands of political interests who masquerade as religious and ethnic champions but do not mind the cost in human lives for achieving their selfish ends.

“For peace, progress and development to be achieved, all hands must be on deck to accompany prayers with positive and purposeful actions,” the NSCIA said.