The umbrella body of Nigerian Muslims, the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), has decried what it described as the serial killing of Muslim scholars in the country in the recent past. The group was reacting to the assassination, last night, of popular cleric, Sheikh Muhammad Auwal Adam Albani.

Said JNI Secretary General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, in a statement just released in Kaduna: “Our worries are: what must have been the rationale behind such gruesome and ungodly act? Be as it may, one may not be wrong to conclude that the act clearly divulges acts of serial killings of Muslim scholars in recent years, which was started with Sheikh Umar Dan Mai Shiya, of Sokoto, then came the murder of Sheikh Ja’far Mahmud Adam Kano (which is still fresh in the memories of the Muslims). More so, several Muslim scholars were either maimed and or killed in Yobe and Borno states, in the name of Boko Haram, today Dr. Muhammad Nazeef Yunus is still in SSS custody for an unsubstantiated allegation of connection with Boko Haram.

“Shall this continue at the expense of Muslim scholars? Why is it that the assassins always go scot free? To this end, as always JNI condemns these repeated acts in the strongest terms and calls on governments at all levels to bring to book, the evil perpetrators. Muslims are therefore urged to continue supplicating to Allah (SWT) for safety, protection and prosperity in the land.”

JNI, which has the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, as President-General, said it “was indeed very shocked this morning, to have received the news of the most unfortunate assassinations of Sheikh Muhammad Awwal Adam, popularly known as Albanin Zariya and two of his family members (his wife and a child),” adding: “Regrettably for the murderers, the values for which he lived for will still continue to flourish and let the assassins stop their death, when it comes and continue to live till eternity, if they can.

“Suffices to mention that the seed of piety, righteousness and Da’awah, i.e. calling to the way of Allah (SWT) was first planted by the Prophet (SAW) and Muslim scholars are not oblivious of the thorny hurdles therein the path. Hence, must not be cowed!”

•Photo shows JNI Leader, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar.

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