Muslim United for Peace and Justice has called on security agencies to urgently curtail the activities of the terror group, who murdered a pregnant Muslim lady, Harira Jubril and her four children in Anambra.
The group in a statement, jointly signed by leaders of Muslim organisations in Nigeria, include, Lighthouse Mosque, Imam Najeem Jimoh; Executive Director IRFAN Centre, Nurudeen Ibrahim; Executive Secretary Zakat and Awqaaf Amana Foundation, Yekeen Adekunle; President Guild of Muslim Professionals, Hakeem Oyewale; Nurudeen Asonogie and Chairman Muslim Vanguard, Shakirudeen Olofin. The statement reads:
“We unequivocally condemn the cold-blooded murder and demand that the perpetrators be fished out and brought to book earnestly.
“It is clear that their evil intention was to provoke a reprisal attack on Nigerians of Igbo or Southern extraction living up North, and thus, throw the country into another civil war. We, therefore, commend our Northern compatriots for not taking that evil bait. We implore them to remain calm and eschew violence, as two wrongs never make a right. Moreso, it is forbidden in Islam to visit the sin of one person on another, such amounts to injustice.
“However, we are deeply worried that IPOB/ESN terrorists have amplified their murderous escapades with utmost impunity in recent times, such that they are now on the same pedestal as the equally evil and murderous Boko Haram terrorists ravaging the North.
“ Apart from mercilessly killing fellow Igbos, who don’t share their jaundiced views, the IPOB/ESN terrorists are now targeting Muslims, particularly northerners, for assassination.
“Reports have it that no fewer than 10 northerners were killed on the same day Harira Jibril was killed. One Abdullahi selling roasted meat (Suya) was reportedly killed at Nnanka, while five commercial motorcycle riders, all northerners, were also killed at Aniocha Local Government Area. All these killings were perpetrated a few days after an Anambra State lawmaker, Okey Okoye, was abducted and beheaded by the same IPOB/ESN terrorists.
“While the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, had promptly placed an N10 million ransom on the heads of Okoye’s killers, he only commiserated with Harira’s family without much ado. Indeed, the general response from Igboland to the latest killing of northern Muslims in their backyard has been poor and uninspiring.”
Meanwhile, the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, Lagos State Area Unit has condemned the killing. The Amir (president) of the MSSN in Lagos State, Miftahudeen Thanni, said this in a statement to commemorate the 2022 Children’s Day.
He lamented that it’s shameful that the killers have not been identified, arrested and prosecuted more than three days after the killing became public knowledge.
Thanni described the recent spate of killings in the country as unfortunate, saying that children are at the receiving end.
He said, “That the situation of Nigeria will degenerate to this is unthinkable. Wiping out a family is callous, inhumane and animalistic.
“It’s shameful that three days after the incident happened, no arrest, no prosecution. For how long will criminals continue to walk freely in our nation.”
“These are the worst times for our children and youths. The Nigerian situation is tiring.
“By now, we expect that all those involved should have been arrested and tried. There should be no ethnic or religious colouration of crimes and punishment of criminals.
“We pray that Allah descends peace, tranquillity and unity in Nigeria so that we shall all be proud of the nation.”
The Muslim student leader, however, commiserated with the family of the deceased and prayed God will admit them into paradise.
While warning against reprisal, Thanni also condemned the killing of a Christian in Sokoto over alleged blasphemy.
He said, “We implore the youth and citizens, in general, to be law-abiding, peace-loving and tolerant always. We should all learn from the incident that happened in Sokoto where a female student was regrettably killed.
“The actions of the killers do not represent Islam. The gruesome murder of the student in Sokoto is unlawful and un-Islamic. Islam is a religion of peace and denounces terrorism, injustice and jungle justice at any rate. We urge the youths to be calm and tolerant whenever they see things that displease them.
“The right thing to do is to report to the appropriate authorities.
“It is also unacceptable to blaspheme in all religions, however, if this occurs it is not an opportunity to do jungle justice. Government must ensure that this ugly incident does not repeat itself as stiffer measures should be melted on people doing jungle justice and those that blaspheme.
“It is more painful that the condemnable act happened among students who should know better. The action of the students who killed their colleagues defeats the purpose of education.”
