In a shocking and tragic event, an Islamic group, Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has condemned the brutal murder of 16 travelers in Edo State. The victims, who were on their way from Rivers State to Kano, were viciously killed by a vigilante group in the community of Udune Efandion, located in Esan North Local Government Area.
The horrific killings have sparked outrage across the nation. In a statement issued on Saturday, Prof. Khalid Aliyu, the Secretary-General of JNI, strongly criticized the act, calling it “cruel and barbaric.” The group expressed profound sadness over the incident and demanded that the government take real action to address the escalating insecurity in Nigeria, rather than offering mere condemnations.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the cruel and barbaric killings of the victims. This act is not only condemnable but also unacceptable in any human society,” said Aliyu. The JNI also called for the Federal Government to go beyond statements of condemnation and take tangible steps to protect citizens, regardless of their ethnicity or religion.
The group further expressed concern over the tendency to unfairly link criminal acts to specific ethnic or religious groups, which leads to harmful stereotyping and hate campaigns. The JNI has demanded a thorough investigation into the attack and the prosecution of those responsible. They also called for enhanced security measures to protect travelers on Nigerian highways, which have increasingly become hotspots for violence.
“A criminal should be treated as a criminal, regardless of their ethnicity or religion. We condemn all criminals, wherever they are from. We demand that the government and security agencies conduct a thorough investigation into this incident and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice,” the statement emphasized.
The JNI also highlighted the need for a national effort to combat the growing insecurity and end the spread of hate speech, which is fueling violence and division. Aliyu stated, “The government must take decisive action to address the growing insecurity in the country. We cannot continue to live in fear of attacks and killings. Hate speech is a major contributor to the growing insecurity in the country. We must all work together to promote tolerance, understanding, and peaceful coexistence.”
As the situation continues to worsen, the JNI has urged Nigerians to remain calm and united, despite the challenges they face. The group called on everyone to work together for a more peaceful and secure Nigeria.
