The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has condemned what the organisation called the escalating insecurity across Nigeria.

It urged the Federal Government to take urgent and decisive measures to protect the citizens and vulnerable communities.

In a statement yesterday by its Secretary-General, Prof. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, the religious organisation expressed deep sorrow and concern over the continuing killings, abductions, terrorist attacks, banditry, cattle rustling and destruction of livelihoods across several parts of the country.

JNI particularly expressed worry that despite sustained military and security operations in different theatres, innocent Nigerians were being killed and abducted from their homes and highways, while many communities have been displaced and subjected to fear and psychological trauma.

The apex Islamic body in Northern Nigeria alluded to recent incidents in Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Kebbi, Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Niger, Gombe, Kogi, Benue, and Plateau states, among others, as evidence of worsening insecurity confronting the country.

It noted that in Sokoto State, recent attacks resulted in deaths, injuries, abductions, and cattle rustling, even as security forces continued operations aimed at rescuing kidnapped citizens and disrupting terrorist activities.

JNI recalled that in one of the latest operations, troops reportedly rescued 23 kidnapped persons and arrested four suspected members of the Lakurawa terrorist group.

The Islamic organisation expressed concern over continuing attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists in the Northeast, saying the groups continued to demonstrate the capacity to attack vulnerable communities and challenge security formations, thereby prolonging the suffering of populations that had endured years of insurgency.

JNI also raised concern over the spread of kidnapping and banditry for ransom across the Northwest and the Northcentral, where communities were increasingly exposed to ransom demands, illegal levies, cattle rustling, destruction of property and disruption of economic activities.

Of particular concern to the organisation was the reported death of 37 persons in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Niger State, following their arrest during an alleged illegal mining operation.

It noted that the circumstances surrounding the deaths were deeply disturbing and demanded the fullest transparency, while acknowledging the position of the authorities that the precise cause of death remained subject to investigation.

JNI welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to institute an independent investigation and suspend officers connected with the incident pending the outcome of the process.

The organisation, however, said the incident raised serious questions about the circumstances of the arrests, conditions of detention, access to medical attention, supervision of detainees, and how so many people lost their lives in state’s custody.

JNI also called for a transparent, independent, thorough, timely, and credible investigation, stressing that nobody found culpable should be shielded.

JNI also condemned the killing and abduction of innocent citizens, regardless of their ethnic, political, religious or geographical identity, saying there could be no justification for terrorism, kidnapping, destruction of homes and livelihoods, illegal levies, cattle rustling, sexual violence or the use of terror to displace citizens.

It also condemned terrorism, banditry, armed criminality, violent extremism and communal violence, including criminal activities allegedly masquerading as religious, ethnic or political grievances, stressing that Islam places the sanctity of human life beyond dispute.

JNI said the protection of citizens remained the cardinal responsibility of government and acknowledged the sacrifices being made by the Armed Forces, the police, NSCDC, the Department of State Services (DSS), Civilian Joint Task Forces (CJTF), vigilante groups, and other lawful security formations.

It called for improved coordination, stronger intelligence gathering, adequate equipment, effective border control, better welfare for security personnel and sustained operations against criminal and terrorist networks.

The organisation urged security agencies to move increasingly from reactive responses to intelligence-led preventive operations, including the dismantling of terrorist and bandit camps, disruption of their supply and logistics networks, stronger intelligence sharing and tighter control of Nigeria’s borders.

It also called for greater protection of vulnerable communities, schools, highways, places of worship and markets, as well as strengthened community-based intelligence and properly regulated local security arrangements.

JNI urged authorities to address the economic and social conditions that expose vulnerable youths to recruitment into criminal networks and called for lawful and humane enforcement against illegal mining.

It further demanded credible systems for monitoring detention facilities to protect persons in custody from abuse, neglect or avoidable deaths, while urging appropriate medical, psychological and social support for victims of kidnapping, terrorism and banditry after their release.

The organisation called on Muslims across Nigeria to intensify prayers, Istighfar, Qiyam al-Layl, Sadaqah and other acts of worship for divine intervention, urging Imams and Islamic organisations to devote portions of Friday sermons and congregational prayers to the security situation.

JNI prayed for the souls of those killed in terrorist attacks, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence, as well as for those still in captivity, the injured, displaced and traumatised, and the families of the 37 persons who died in NSCDC custody in Niger State.

The organisation said the frequency of attacks must not be allowed to become normalised, stressing that Nigeria could not sustainably develop when farmers could not safely access their farms, children could not attend school without fear and travellers could not confidently use highways.

JNI urged all relevant authorities to treat insecurity with the highest level of urgency, seriousness and national coordination, while praying for an end to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence and bloodshed across Nigeria. (The Nation)