Declare state of emergency in North-West, Islamic clerics urges FG
Islamic clerics, including Imams and other Muslim scholars in Kaduna State, have urged the Federal Government to declare state of emergency in North-West and Niger State to end security challenges in the troubled zone.
The religious leaders implored the government to tackle the menace with a view to arresting banditry in the region through a holistic and an all-encompassing approach.
In a communique signed by Shaykh Ibrahim Nakaka, Chairman and Dr. Yusuf Yakubu Arrigasiyyu, Secretary-General, Council of Imams and Ulama Kaduna State, which is the umbrella body of all Imams and Ulama in the state irrespective of their sects and intra-religious affiliations, said it held a three-day leadership training programme for Imams of Juma’at Mosques from December 18 to 21, 2021 at the Jama’atu Nasril Islam National Headquarters, Kaduna.
“The Federal Government is advised as a matter of urgency to recall and reengage 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 among the Nigerian 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 communiqué stated.
In another development, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), yesterday stressed the need for research and policy development in the country.
He noted that there could be no real development without security and peace, while also advocating economic opportunities, equity and justice for security and peace to exist, which in turn, would serve as the foundation or pillars of development.
