Jama’atu Nasril: Demanded that the federal government identify and punish those on whose watch the Dapchi schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram terrorists.

The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) yesterday demanded that the federal government identify and punish those on whose watch the Dapchi schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram terrorists. 

The JNI also urged the federal government to do everything possible to immediately rescue all the abducted schoolgirls and others in the captivity of Boko Haram. LEADERSHIP Friday recalls that 110 students of Government Girls Science and Technical College, Dapchi, Yobe State, were kidnapped penultimate Monday evening from their dormitory, with their location and condition as yet unknown by Nigerian authorities. A statement by the group’s secretary general, Dr Khalid Aliyu, said the circumstances of the abduction raised serious concern about the genuineness of some security agents in the fight against insurgency. The Islamic organisation condemned the buck passing between the police and the military over the abduction, saying it was an indication that something was seriously wrong.
The JNI, therefore, demanded that those whose dereliction of duty resulted in the abduction of the student must be punished. According to the JNI, “An example must be set; heads must roll for this negligence. Inquiry is not the only way to go. “In fact, a serious government would have by now put in jail and suspended all negligent security and political chiefs who could, and should, have protected these innocent children, rather than the rigmarole of setting up of an investigative panel.” The umbrella Muslim body expressed concern that the recent attack on Dapchi was a serious setback to the gains made in the campaign for parents in the region to education their daughters.
“If there is a worse outcome than the abduction itself, it is the fact that this is the most potent action to frustrate girl-child education in northern Nigeria, despite the many enrolment campaign efforts for female education. “No parent now is comfortable, especially in the North East, to allow his daughter to go to such callously unprotected schools, and the north is the loser! Therefore, this is a wakeup call to the quiescent northern governors.’’ The JNI also expressed concern over the growing distrust between security agencies and citizens in the North East, claiming that “any time people provided information on suspected insurgents, the informants were hunted down and many killed within the next 24 hours.’’ It, therefore, called on government at all levels to collaborate with security agencies to tackle the security threat through proactive approaches.
The JNI also directed Imams to conduct the designated special prayers to seek Allah’s intervention in calamitous situations for the safe return of the girls. “Likewise, fervent observance of Adhkar (remembrance of Allah) should also be ventured into by all Muslims, as it is a vital tool for easing fears, tension and uncertainties such as the myriad security challenges bedevilling Nigeria,” it said. The JNI, however, said in spite of the unfortunate incident, “the remaining final year Dapchi students should be encouraged to write their respective WAEC and NECO exams, even if it be through an arrangement, in another environment.’’ The JNI further sought adequate security cover for all female secondary schools in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

We bring the news to you as it comes.....