POGROM: Zamfara, Keana massacres designed to reduce Muslim population â JNI - NewsRescue.com

Apr. 8, 2014

Jamaâatul Nasril Islam (JNI) has condemned what it described as the extra-judicial killing of 15 Fulani Muslims in Keana, the killing in Zamfara and all the human rights abuses on innocent Muslims in Maiduguri, describing them as a grand agenda to destabilise the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria.

According to JNI, the various attacks on the Muslims in the country were targeted at reducing their rising human capital.

A statement signed by the Secretary-General of the Islamic body, Sheikh Khalid Abubakar Aliyu said the dimension of extra-judicial killing of Muslims by the military on a mere whim of unsubstantiated suspicion leaves much to be desired.

He said that the killing clearly depicts that Muslims have become an endangered species and were murdered and maimed indiscriminately in the guise of fighting terrorism.

âThe sad incident of Keana 15 is another scenario where the settlements of innocent Muslims were mercilessly massacred. These are people who have been exonerated by the State Governor as being peace loving people and law abiding.

âIt is questionable, that an operation of this magnitude would be carried-out without the knowledge of the Chief Security Officer of the state, nor other relevant security bodies. JNI is concerned that the perpetrators of these genocidal acts against Muslims may go scot-free as was the case with Apo Killings and other similar heinous acts.

âThe Benue state governor and his deputy have recently exonerated the Fulani of Benue for the long outstanding relationship and social cohesion between them. The social joke between them has been on for almost a century. How can all these suddenly change and the next-door neighbour is now accused because of his simplicity and unsophistication?

âThe various reports of human rights abuses and massacre of hundreds of Muslims in Maiduguri by the military, as reported by human rights groups is painful and unacceptable. Criminals, on one hand and the supposed protectors of the innocent on the other; in front is a lion and behind are wolves.

âWe have found the usage of the term Fulani herdsmen, hiding their religious identity in an attempt to wipe out Muslims in the guise of fighting terrorism, as it suits the situation and using Muslim terrorist as it suits the other situation as absurd. Why is it when a Christian commits a crime it is not called a Christian crime or terrorism? The fact remains, crime is crime, it is colourless, tribe less and religious less.

âWe can say without any fear of contradiction that there is a grand agenda to destabilize the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria. If any Nigerian is in doubt regarding the hidden grand agenda to destabilizes Muslims in Nigeria, and cautiously reduce their rising human capital, then the Zamfara incidence should have removed this doubt.

âAn event where the vigilante personnel working to restore peace would be the subject of a grand massacre, tells much about the chaos and insecurity some enemies want to push our states into. We call on all our Governors, politicians and indeed every well-meaning citizen to do something before it gets out of hand.

âThe military should know that it is extremely dangerous to polarize security agencies along religious line. It will have far-reaching negative effect in the country, especially at this material time, where the efforts of all are required to cushion the effect of the pains we are passing through.

âJNI unequivocally condemns the extra-judicial killing of 15 Fulani Muslims in Keana, the raping and subsequent killing of Binta Usman, the milk maid and all the human rights abuses on innocent Muslims in Maiduguriâ, the statement read.

It however called on the government to ensure that the perpetrators of transgression against innocent citizens who have the right to practice the religion they choose are brought to justice.