By KEMI KASUMU
Precisely nine days after the horror that befell Nasarawa/Benue states boundary community of Rukubi in Doma Local Government Ares of Nasarawa State resulting from bombing by aircraft of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) killing over 48 Fulani herders, yet another wave of condemnations has come, this time, by foremost body of Islam in Nigeria, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI).
The military airstrikes, on which there has been no official statement whether by the Nigerian Air Force, Defence Headquarters or the Federal Government thereby leaving the whole information coming on it to guessing, have been blamed on anti-Fulani antagonistic policies and attitude of Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, who the Fulani race of Nigeria believes gave the instructions, allegedly, that unleashed the heavy and terrible massacre on those innocent souls of the youthful herders.
In a strongly worded statement issued in Kaduna on Thursday and signed by its Secretary General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, copy of which was sent to The DEFENDER, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), which said it was reacting to the incident after careful assessments, condemned in strong terms the military airstrikes that unjustly terminated the innocent souls considered by many as very huge collateral damages that would take the race and, by extension, other communities of patriotic Nigerians a long time to recover from.
“Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) after careful assessments and following of events as they unfolded over the Doma heinous attack, condemns in the strongest terms the carnage,” the statement said.
The JNI also identified with the government and people of Nasarawa State, on the “gruesome massacre of over 40” innocent Fulani herders in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, after the grotesque slayings of hundreds of cows by the so-called unidentified persons, without any intervention from the security forces in the area.
It noted that, “As a matter of fact, some sources claimed helicopters bombed the victims, while others said it was a horrific sporadic coordinated attacks from different angles on the victims, a very heart-rending and mind-boggling situation.
“But for how long shall innocent defenseless Nigerians continue to suffer cruel termination of their lives and utter distructions of their property? It is an understatement to say that we have become so much terrified. The carnage was one incidence too many to bear.
“It should be stated that this singular act of heartlessness in Doma was a calculated attempt to instill fears among farmers and herders, so as to jeopardize the frantic efforts of mutual harmony that has being built by the relevant stakeholders especially the Nasarawa State government in recent years,” the foremost Nigeria’s Islamic body said.
This massacre, according to the JNI, calls for serious introspection especially that the 2023 General Elections are fast approaching, even as it asked to know, For how long would we continue to wait in vain? For how long shall we continue to condemn acts of terrorism without any concerted efforts at ending it? And for how long would we continue to suffer hopelessness and despair such as what we have just witnessed in Doma?”
Be that as it may, the statement ventilated the worry of JNI as it is perplexed and very much concerned over the grisly incident in Doma and its environs.
“This dastardly act was carried out despite the several concerted efforts at peaceful coexistence between the Tivs and the Fulanis, as well as other sedentary farmers in the area.
“Clearly there seems to be a premeditated sabotage from some quarters. Government should therefore thoroughly interrogate the events that culminated to the most unfortunate bloodletting in Doma,” it said while calling on the Federal Government to immediately investigate the indefensible military operation that killed those Fulani people.
“We nonetheless, also call on the federal government to as a matter of urgency to investigate all its security agencies especially the Nigerian Air force based on the alleged use of helicopter gunships and drones in the Doma massacre to do well beyond condemnation, and fish out the perpetrators. Nigerians are desperately yearning for concrete actions.”
The JNI thus called on the government to act as seven points it listed in its Thursday’s statement.
“1. Identify with victims and places of attacks by commiserating with the people, it is better late than never.
“2. A national broadcast after the visit would be very necessary, to dissuade reprisals. Clearly, people are angered over many recent happenings affecting innocent defenseless people and government need to act fast.
“3.The Federal Government of Nigeria should pay compensation (Diyya) to the bereaved families, for equity, justice and foreclosing of any possibility of vengeance or reprisal.
“4. Prosecute officials that are found wanting in the discharge of their assignment(s), so as to serve as deterrent to other nonchalant officials.
“5. Collaborate with relevant security agencies with a timeline to bringing an end, and/or at least avert all security threats bedeviling the country and also mop-up small arms and light weapons (SALWs) in the hands of criminals, or else Nigeria will continue to witness the rise in arms proliferation for self-defense amongst citizens, since the government is seemingly not so disposed to doing so.
“6. Spare no effort to immediately provide support to all the affected communities, as many are now displaced, becoming internally displaced persons (IDPs) in their own land, considering the attendant social consequences often associated with victims of communal or state-sponsored violence.
“7. We would like to use this medium to appreciate the Federal Government of Nigeria for the Ten (10) Days extension granted in respect of the moping and collection of the old naira notes. We also implore that relevant government agencies will be more alive to their duties in ensuring complete observance of the CBN guidelines in that regard, in order to ameliorate the challenges of hardship associated with the exercise, currently being faced by Nigerians,” it said.
While calling on the Muslim Ummah to intensify prayers seeking Allah’s intervention for an end to these repeated pogroms, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam sent its heart-felt condolences to families of the “martyred in the Doma massacre”, the people and government of Nasarawa State and Nigeria in general.
“We are convinced that government’s prompt response will assuage the cumulative frustrations of the survivors of the Doma massacre, immediate families as well as all justice-seeking and peace-loving people of our dear land.
“May Allah, the Most High, console the respective families that lost their loved ones and strengthen them to bear the lost. May He also guide aright those in authority to be alive to their responsibilities. Amin,” it prayed.
