Umbrella body of Nigerian Muslims, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), today condemned the resurgence of terrorism in the troubled Borno State, North-East of the country, calling for “a drastic solution” to end the menace. JNI made the call while reacting to Tuesday’s suicide bomb attack in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, in which upwards of 50 people died.

JNI in a statement issued today in Kaduna by its Secretary General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, lamented that the devastating blasts had returned the city “to a hopeless situation of fear and grief.”

According to JNI, “Coming after some months of relative relief, and a time when the people were celebrating the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), this heartless, barbaric act has reached a drastic stage urgently requiring a drastic solution beyond mere condemnation.

“The satanic act is becoming an alarming conundrum given the heavily visible military presence in the state. Can it be safely said that the security forces were on holiday or that the evil insurgent are becoming more powerful? We are puzzled by this escalating tragedy that is seemingly grabbing the nation by the jugular.

“As always, JNI hereby calls on government at all levels once again to thoroughly investigate the incident even as we caution all politicians to fear Allah, the Most High and think about the consequences of their provocative utterances before, during and or after such tragedies.”

JNI meanwhile commended the National Assembly for passing into law the bill banning same sex marriage in Nigeria and applauded President Goodluck Jonathan for signing the bill into law despite the pressure from various quarters, particularly the western world.

“It can be recalled that the issue of same-sex marriage had attracted a lot of reactions and condemnations from various non-governmental organizations and religious bodies, one of which was the JNI. We therefore thank the Almighty Allah for His guidance as the law does not only criminalize homosexuality, lesbianism and bisexuality but confirms Nigerians’ adherence to the path of God through their various religions,” JNI said.

It urged “the National Assembly and President Jonathan to use the same drive and the instrumentality of his office in passing the bill and its subsequent signing into law to address the persistent instances of impunities and seemingly endemic corruption being perpetrated in the land.”

•Photo shows JNI President-General, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar.

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