The statement issued by the Secretary General of Jama’atul Nasril Islam, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, alleging extra-judicial killing of Muslims and people of Fulani ethnic group by the Nigerian military is spurious and inflammatory, the Defence Headquarters has said.
According to the spokesman of the Defence Headquarters, Major General Chris Olukolade, said inasmuch as the military is reluctant to join issues with a respectable religious organisation like the JNI, the need to set the records straight made this response imperative.
Olukolade said the Nigerian military remains non-partisan, non-sectarian and will continue to be the symbol of patriotism and a unifying factor in the face of threats to national sovereignty.
He added: “If this wild allegation was meant to cause disaffection or brew disharmony within the military, then it has woefully failed as the Nigerian military does not operate along religious or ethnic lines.
“Contrary to the false claims, no law abiding individual, faith, ethnic group or organisation is being targeted as alleged by JNI.
“It is unfortunate that the unjust imputation is coming from respectable and responsible organisation like JNI. We urge the body not to join in the fray of propagandists bent on discrediting genuine efforts at finding solutions to the nation’s security challenges.
“The military will continue to be driven by patriotism and commitment to the cause of the nation and its law abiding citizens. All responsible organisations are requested to cooperate in the efforts at addressing the nation’s security challenges rather than compound the problem. Individuals with similar prejudices are advised to abandon such biases as the challenges at hand calls for prayers and support of all well-meaning organisations and groups instead of trying to turn the public against the military. Rather, all responsible organisations should be more interested in seeking solutions to the nation’s security challenges.
“It must be noted that the Armed Forces comprises Nigerians from all religious persuasions and cannot be used against any particular religion as purported. The military will not be distracted by unfair imputations from any quarter.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian military and other security agencies do not have any policy, agenda or plans to perpetrate massacre or extra judicial killing of law abiding citizens. The authorities have no reason to take side or shield anyone from justice. Individuals apprehended in the course of counter-terrorism campaign will continue to have access to justice as provided by law.”
The statement by the JNI reads in full: “The dimension of extra judicial killing of Muslims by the Military on a mere whim of unsubstantiated suspicion leaves much to be desired, which clearly depicts that Muslims have become endangered species, murdered and maimed indiscriminately in the guise of fighting terrorism. The sad incident of Keana 15 is another scenario where the settlements of innocent Muslims were mercilessly massacred. These are people who have been exonerated by the State Governor as being peace loving people and law abiding. It is questionable that an operation of this magnitude would be carried-out without the knowledge of the Chief Security Officer of the State, nor other relevant security bodies. JNI is concerned that the perpetrators of these genocidal acts against Muslims may go scott-free as it was the case with Appo Killings and other similar heinous acts.
“The Benue state governor and his deputy have recently exonerated the Fulani of Benue for the long outstanding relationship and social cohesion between them. The social joke between them lives for almost a century. How can all this suddenly change and the next neighbor is accused because of his simplicity and unsophistication?
“The various reports of human rights abuses and massacre of hundreds of Muslims in Maiduguri by the Military, as reported by human rights groups is painful and unacceptable. Criminals on one hand and the supposed protectors of the innocent on the other, in front is a lion and behind are wolfs.
“We have found the usage of the term Fulani herdsmen, hiding their religious identity an attempt to wipe out Muslims in the guise of fighting terrorism, as it suits the situation and using Muslim terrorist as it suits the other situation as absurd. Why is it when a Christian commits a crime it is not called a Christian crime or terrorism? The fact remains, crime is crime, it is colorless, tribe less and religious less.
“It is sad to note that a Muslim milk maid, a mother of five, was raped and killed by a military man around Dei-Dei area of the Federal Capital Territory. We are not aware of any step taken by the military authority on the matter. As usual they will buy time and the case will die naturally.
“We can say without any fear of contradiction that there is a grand agenda to destabilize the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria. If any Nigerian is in doubt regarding the hidden grand agenda to destabilizes Muslims in Nigeria, and cautiously reduce their rising human capital, then the Zamfara State incidence should have removed this doubt. An event where vigilante personnel working to restore peace would be the subject of a grand massacre, tells much about the chaos and insecurity some enemies want to push our states into. We call on all our Governors, politicians and indeed every well-meaning citizen to do something before it gets out of hand.
“Where is the human rights compliance and rule of engagement by the military personnel involved in maintaining peace and security? Why are the defaulting military personnel not brought to book for deterrent and forestalling future occurrence?
“The military should know that it is extremely dangerous to polarize security agencies along religious line. It will have far reaching negative effect in the country, especially at this material time, where the efforts of all are required to cushion the effect of the pains we are passing through.
“JNI unequivocally condemns the extra judicial killing of 15 Fulani Muslims in Keana, the raping and subsequent killing of Binta Usman, the milk maid and all the human rights abuses on innocent Muslims in Maidugri.
“We strongly call for bringing to justice the perpetrators of transgression against innocent citizens who have the right to practice the religion they choose.”
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