•Odua group wants terrorists unmasked
The Muslim umbrella body in the north, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and the northern socio-political organisation, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) have condemned Sunday’s attack on a worship centre inside the Bayero University, Kano, asking the perpetrators to respect the sanctity of human life.
The ACF, in its statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Anthony Sani, said: “The attacks of innocent people in places of worship in Bayero University which occurred yesterday is worrisome because it conveys some aimlessness on the part of the perpetrators, considering those affected are not part of causes of any perceived grievances.
“ACF therefore submits that time for sheathing of the sword is long overdue; and that whatever may be the nature of any perceived grievances, violence resulting in mindless killing of innocent people can never be the solution.
“This is because, however long any conflict may take, it would still be resolved at peace talks. To that end, perpetrators of violence that kills innocent citizens should embrace constructive dialogue as the only viable path to peaceful coexistence and national security for collective good.
“ACF also condoles and commiserates with all those who lost their lives and properties, and prays to God to provide them with the fortitude to endure what have happened, and in the hope that they will replace the losses many folds.”
JNI, in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Umar Ahmed Zaria, condemned the suicide attacks in Yola, Adamawa State, Gombe State University and the one targeted at newspaper houses in Kaduna and Abuja.
The statement reads: “Jama’atu Nasril Islam expresses its shock over the unfortunate orchestrated multiple bomb blasts on some media houses in Kaduna and Abuja. Also, the explosion of IEDs in Yola, Adamawa state, Gombe state university and Bayero university, Kano are condemned in strong term.
“Human lives are sacred and it must be treated as such by all. These incidents call for sober reflections as a nation. We, therefore, commiserate with the families of the bereaved and wish their loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss. In the same vein, we wish all those who sustained injuries as a result of the blasts quick recovery.”
A pan-Yoruba group, the Oodua Nationalist Coalition (ONAC), in a statement by it’s Public Affairs Secretary, Alhaji Yinusa Akinkunmi, said it was disturbed by the recent killings of two Yoruba professors, Jerome Ayodele and Andrew Leo Ogbonyomi. The duo were killed in Kano by gunmen.
The statement reads: “We call on the Federal Government to immediately bring these blood thirsty murderers to book. We want to know who killed the two professors. We want to know who bombed Thisday and The Sun newspapers.
“They must be brought to book or face proportional revenge. Though in this heinous game, some Hausa-Fulani Northern Muslims have been killed, however, this is nothing but primarily a continuous target hate killings informed by ethnic and religious considerations. “
Read this article:
Acf, Jni condemn blasts