The leadership of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam has condemned the killing of 47 herdsmen during the accidental airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force in Nasarawa, calling on the Federal Government to fish out the perpetrators for prosecution.
The JNI is led by the Sultan of Sokoto and leader of Muslims in Nigeria, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III.
The JNI, through a statement by its Secretary-General, Dr Khalid Abubakar-Aliyu, in Kaduna on Thursday, also called on the Federal Government to compensate families of the victims for the loss of their loved ones during the attack.
The JNI warned the government not to sweep the matter under the carpet, saying the incident is one too many as the attack was calculated to instil fears between farmers and herdsmen in Nasarawa State.
The statement read, “Jama’atu Nasril Islam, after careful assessments and following events as they unfolded over the Doma heinous attack, condemns the carnage in the strongest terms.
“It also expresses solidarity with the government and people of Nasarawa State in the gruesome massacre of over 40 innocent Fulani herders in Nasarawa State’s Doma Local Government Area, after the grotesque slayings of hundreds of cows by the so-called unidentified persons, without any intervention from the security forces in the area.
“Some sources claimed helicopters bombed the victims, while others said it was a horrific sporadic coordinated attack from different angles on the victims, a very heart-rending and mind-boggling situation.
“The carnage was one incidence too many to bear. It should be stated that this singular act of heartlessness in Doma was a calculated attempt to instil fears among farmers and herders.”
Saying that Nigerians were desperately yearning for concrete action on the matter, the group called on the government to “identify with victims and places of attacks by commiserating with the people; it is better late than never.
“A national broadcast after the visit would be very necessary, to dissuade reprisals. People are angered over many recent happenings affecting innocent defenceless people and the government needs to act fast.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria should pay compensation (Diyya) to the bereaved families, for equity, justice, and the foreclosing of any possibility of vengeance or reprisal.”
