Work harder to protect Nigerians, security expert tells Buhari

A renowned security expert, Ambassador Nurain Mumuni, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to intensify efforts at securing the lives and properties of Nigerians, especially places of worship, during the month of Ramadan and beyond.

Mumuni, who made the call in a statement signed by his media aide, Malam Rasheed Abubakar, felicitated with the president; the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, all Nigerian Muslims and indeed all Nigerians on the occasion of the annual Ramadan fast.

“Ramadan is yet another opportunity for Mr President to remember and reapply himself to his commitment to his promise to Nigerians on security on the ‘Next Level’ and intensify his efforts – military, strategic and spiritual – to ensure that he delivers the peace, calm, security and protection all Nigerians require of him,” Mumuni said.

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The chartered conciliator, mediator and counterterrorism expert said, “If we all adhere to the teachings of the holy books, the Qur’an and the Bible to be precise, on unity, tolerance and diversity, the insecurity and killings that foul the global landscape would be a thing of the past.

“It is particularly sad that Ramadan dawned on us all at a time Nigeria, and indeed the world at large, is grappling with the burden of insecurity. Attacks in Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina by Boko Haram irredentists, armed bandits and kidnappers have become rife, while on the global scene, the Sri Lanka bombings, the New Zealand mosque attacks, and the repeated attacks on churches, mosques, synagogues and schools in the United States immediately come to mind,” Mumuni added.

Mumuni, who has authored globally acclaimed books on security, implored Islamic scholars to be mindful of their utterances, avoid hate speech and preach love in their sermons during Ramadan.

While freedom of speech is largely the norm in Nigeria, Ramadan preachers, according to Mumuni, must remain sensitive to current happenings and ensure the security of their mosques and lecture venues at all times.

“If need be, security guards and CCTV facilities should be deployed at such venues to ensure adequate monitoring of all movements and happenings,” he said.

The security expert also warned against jungle justice.

“While it is important to be personally and collectively responsible for our security, Muslim faithful must resist the urge to take the law into their hands in cases where they apprehend suspected assailants,” Mumuni added.

“Jungle justice is absolutely forbidden according to Islamic teachings, and as such, such suspected attackers must only be handed over to the law enforcement agents so that justice will run its course.

“In the final analysis, what all Muslims seek is the acceptance of their fasts and ibadah (worship) from Allah (SWT). May He accept our worship and increase us in material and spiritual means during and after Ramadan,” Mumuni added.