The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar-led Jama’atul Nasril Islam has decried the killing of Sheikh Muhammad Aisami, and the theft of his car allegedly by Corporal John Gabriel and Adamu Gideon, both of the Nigerian Army 241 Recce Battalion Nguru, Yobe State.
The Muslim body, while condemning the unwarranted killing of the Islamic cleric, urged the Federal Government and the authority of the Nigerian Army to hasten the prosecution of the soldiers.
In a statement by the JNI’s Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar-Aliyu, in Kaduna, on Tuesday, it was noted that the gruesome murder of the the cleric must not be treated with levity.
The statement noted that a similar incident occurred in 2018 where Major Gen. Idris Alkali was brutally killed by the Birom ethnic group of Du Community (a predominantly Christian suburb) in Plateau State and his remains thrown into a pond and yet nothing was done as punishment against the perpetrators of the heinous crime.
“Same with the Rukuba Road carnage which resulted in the massacre of about 22 innocent, defenseless Muslims returning from Bauchi State on their way to Ikare, Ondo State en route Jos, in addition to series of such brutalities and impunities against innocent Muslims.
“Yet, the Nigerian Muslims have repeatedly remained patient, despite series of lies, hate campaigns and even outright provocations,” he added.
According to the statement, the gruesome killing of Sheikh Aisami clearly demonstrates that crime has permeated all fabrics of the Nigerian society and to some extent even security agencies.
“The JNI received with utmost shock the reported assassination of Sheikh Aisami and theft of his car. To say the least, the Sheikh’s murder was dastardly, reprehensible, and stands condemned, given the kind hearted nature of the Sheikh, who in his own volition offered the assailants a ride in the same car.
“Surprisingly, both John Gabriel and Adamu Gideon resolved to rob him of his car. Yet, the Muslim Ummah did not in any way declare that it was an attack by Christian terrorists in military garb. Indubitably, if this had happened to a Christian clergy, CAN would have been on top of their voices that Muslim terrorists have killed a Pastor or Reverend and the media would also have been awashed with such information.
“We, nevertheless, call on the Federal Government of Nigeria and the leadership of the Nigerian Army to as a matter of fairness and justice, hasten the prosecution of the culprits responsible for Sheikh Aisami’s death, and execute the judgement, for the Judgement must not only to be done but should be seen as done, same should apply to all similar cases in the country. Perhaps, it may serve as a deterrent against many bad eggs within the system.
“These repeated tragedies should not be swept under carpet; as we have a firm conviction that these unwarranted killings are usually well thought-out. As we have always said, no life, we repeat no life is worth taken except as stipulated by law,” it added.
