he Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar 
III, and President, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, have appealed to the Federal Government to put an end to the incessant killings and attacks by herders and bandits on innocent citizens of the Country.
The duo, who both head the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council, NIREC, made the appeal against the increased numbers of killings and other security threats across the Country.
According to a statement signed by NIREC’s Secretary, Prof. Cornelius Omonokhua said the both clerics condemned the massacre.
The clerics said “We are constrained to call on the government to provide security for the Nigerian citizens. NIREC has always condemned the terror attacks on innocent citizens and the various criminal activities in the various parts of the Country.
“We are worried that the threats and killings keep spreading. We condemn the carnage on human life, especially the recent killings of 76 people at Sabon Birni in Sokoto; a RuwanTofa Dansadua district in Zamfara; Zagon Kataf in Kaduna; Bethel Baptist Church Aguda-Dauruwan Kogi State and the attack on the convoy of the Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum at Baga.
“We further condemn absolutely, the political thuggery that threatens human life and peaceful coexistence.
“Likewise, during his traditional Sallah homage to the Governor of Borno State, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi cried out: ‘My people in Borno are no longer safe.’
“Consequently, the Government must not allow insurgents run over Maiduguri since they have been throwing mortar there and killing people. This situation and the likes are of grave concern to NIREC.
“These attacks, certainly, indicate how serious the state of insecurity is in the Nation. The unabated carnages leave the citizens in a State of complete despair as the attacks paralyse economic activities.
“We, therefore, constrain ourselves to call on the Government to take security as a top priority for every Nigerian.
The both however called on Federal Government to intensify effort in protectting lives and property of the citizens.
“The Government must double up their efforts of securing the lives and property of the citizens. Above all, the security agents must fish out the criminals to face justice.
‘’The security agents must also mop up the arms and ammunition in the hands of criminals. The Government must ensure a complete stop to the proliferation of all forms of weapons that criminals use to destroy life and property.”
Iremide Jonathan
