Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has condemned Monday’s attack by terrorists on Government Day Secondary School, Lassa Town, in the Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State.
In a statement by its spokesman, Abbas Jimoh, the Council, under the leadership of its President-General, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, said it was outraged by the reprehensible attacks, during which a teacher was murdered and scores of innocent students and teachers were abducted.
The NSCIA described the attack and terrorism as grave existential threat to Nigeria and reiterated the need for a firm and uncompromising response.
The council said the immoral acts of kidnapping and murder of schoolchildren amounted to a despicable crime against humanity, adding the recurrence of the incidents that strikes the very heart of Nigeria’s future is a national disgrace that must be nipped it its track.
“The council is greatly concerned that this latest attack comes a few weeks after the May 15 abduction of 42 pupils of Mussa Primary and Junior Secondary School in the same Askira Uba Local Government Area of Borno State and the kidnapping of 49 pupils and their teachers in the Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, on the same day, all of whom remain in captivity.
“The Council is particularly disturbed that the terrorists exploited the Lassa Town’s market day to infiltrate the community before launching their assault. This demonstrates that terrorists continue to adapt their methods and exploit security gaps,” NSCIA said.
The apex Muslim body also recommended the strengthening of intelligence gathering, surveillance, inter-agency cooperation, and community-based early warning mechanisms to reduce the vulnerability of compatriots to terrorists’ attacks.
It urged all states to take a cue from the recent model by Enugu State government, which embedded AI and technology into its security architecture with key features including a newly launched Command and Control Centre, sophisticated surveillance drones and 150 AI-embedded patrol vehicles that can identify threats and track criminals instantly across the state.
The Council applauded the professionalism, sacrifice and gallantry of the Armed Forces, especially the troops of Operation Hadin Kai, whose swift deployment of ground and air assets resulted in the rescue of some of the abducted Bornu students and teachers.
It, however, added that while the achievement deserved commendation, the operation must not cease until every abducted child and member of staff were rescued alive and reunited with their families.
The Council also reiterated that terrorism has no place in Islam, deriding Boko Haram and ISWAP as enemies of Islam and humanity whose actions are at variance with the Qur’anic injunctions on the sanctity of human life, justice, mercy, and the pursuit of knowledge.
“Those who murder innocent people, abduct children, terrorise communities, and destroy schools cannot in any way claim to represent Islam or any recognised religious tradition.
“The Council commiserates with the Government and people of Borno State, the management of Government Day Secondary School, Lassa, the parents and families of the abducted students, and all those affected by this latest tragedy.
“The Council also asserted that under no circumstances and condition must Nigeria surrender to terror, stressing that those who wage war against innocent citizens must be relentlessly pursued, brought to justice, and made to face the full weight of the law to ensure lasting peace and security throughout the country.”