Zabarmari attack: Bandits now rule in many communities – JNI

From Maryam Ahmadu-Suka, Kaduna

dailytrust.com

The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has expressed concern that bandits now rule in many communities, following the killing of 43 rice farmers in Zabarmari, Jere LGA of Borno State.

The JNI Secretary-General, Dr Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, in a statement yesterday, said the bandits now set rules that must be obeyed. 

Dr Aliyu enjoined government to spare no effort to provide support to all the affected communities as many are now displaced, becoming internally displaced persons (IDPs) in their own land.

He called on Muslims to intensify ‘Adhkar’ (calling on Allah), especially those prescribed for the morning and evening prayers for Allah to bring the disturbing situation to an end.

“Muslims should eschew all forms of disobedience to Allah (SWT), repent and go back to the ways of the Lord of the universe, while Imams must not relent, to recommence the Qunootun-Nawazil (special prayers at calamitous periods in the last raka’at of each obligatory prayer and non-obligatory prayers), seeking Allah’s intervention for an end to these repeated sad pogroms,” he added.

He condoled with the people and government of Borno State and urged more visits to the affected communities 

“We appreciate the tireless efforts of the Borno State Governor, His Excellency Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, and once again call on the federal government to rise to its responsibilities and do well beyond the traditional condemnation, as lip service on security matters should stop,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) and Biu Forum have expressed sadness over the killing of 43 farmers in Borno State by insurgents.

They called for the strengthening of the nation’s security apparatuses to face the current security challenges the country and its citizens were facing.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Engineer Abubakar Gambo Umar, said government must be proactive, decisive and firm in dealing with security issues. 

The National Chairman of Biu Forum, Muhammad Ibrahim, stressed, “the need for all hands to be on deck to put an end to this spate of bloodshed.”