Three Muslim groups in Nigeria have called for quick action against the killers of Sheikh Yusuf Amzat-Salam, also known as Alfa Abu and his five family members.
The groups include the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), and The Muslim Congress (TMC).
It will be recalled that the 35 year-old Muslim cleric his wife and four children were killed by suspected hoodlums on Tuesday at Atiba area of Odogbolu Local Government near Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
In separate statements, MPAC Executive Chairman Disu Kamor, MURIC Director Professor Ishaq Akintola, and TMC Amir (Leader) Dr Luqman AbdurRaheem, demanded the apprehension and prosecution of the killers, and urged Muslims and Nigerians not to take laws into their hands over the incident.
“MPAC is asking the Nigeria Police to investigate this crime and swiftly bring to justice all individuals involved in the senseless tragedy. We once again call on the government to intensify efforts and confront the challenge of merciless killers in our midst,” Kamor said.
Akintola on his part said the killing again reveals the underbelly of the Nigerian security agencies with the over-concentration of security paraphernalia on the rich and powerful in Nigeria.
“We call for equitable deployment of security agents in all the strategic parts of every city in such a way that every Nigerian can be well protected. MURIC charges the Ogun State Police Command to fish out the killers of the Salaam family, we want justice. Nobody should murder an Islamic scholar, rout his whole family and get away with it. Ogun police must prove its mettle within days,” he said.
Also, the TMC Leader who said it is unimaginable that people could be heartless to kill innocent children who would not even know for what offence their lives were taken, said the killers must be caught to deter others and also to prove that impunity will not be allowed in the land.
“This is the only way we can bring justice to the departed souls and also console their family and friends that they did not die in vain. Granted that the divisional police officers in Odogbolu and nearby towns have been mobilized along with operatives of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, we maintain that the investigations into the killings must be handled by the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to ensure timely and diligent conclusion of the case,” AbdurRaheem said.
