3rd February, 2022
PRESS RELEASE
RESPOND TO EL-RUFAI’S S.O.S – MURIC TELLS ARMY
Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai of Kaduna State issued a Save Our Soul (S.O.S) message on the security situation in his state yesterday, Wednesday, 2nd February, 2022. The governor also gave a comprehensive report on insecurity in Kaduna. Meanwhile an Islamic human rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has called on the Nigerian Army to respond positively to El-Rufai’s S.O.S.
MURIC’s followup was circulated to pressmen on Thursday, 3rd February, 2022 by its director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
The statement reads :
“The governor of Kaduna State, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, issued a Save Our Soul (S.O.S) message on the security situation in his state yesterday, Wednesday, 2nd February, 2022. He also gave a comprehensive report on the state of insecurity in Kaduna. The report showed that bandits killed 1,192 and kidnapped 3,348 persons in 2021 alone. The statistics provided translated to an average of three persons killed and nine persons kidnapped daily (https://guardian.ng/news/el-rufai-seeks-help-as-bandits-kill-1192-kidnap-3348-in-kaduna/).
“El-Rufai comes across as a pragmatist. He neither indulges in sentimentalities nor engages in sensationalisation. He has openly rejected negotiation or any kind of compromise with the terrorists and now he is the first northern governor to give Nigerians a comprehensive report containing the nitty-gritties of criminalities in the state.
“We call on the Nigerian Army to do the needful. El-Rufai’s S.O.S must not be ignored. Kaduna must not fall to tramadolised criminals. Terrorists must not be allowed to dehumanise our society and destroy our civilisation.
“MURIC appreciates the brilliant performance of the army and the Nigerian Air Force in recent time. We are aware of the overwhelming challenges but like an eagle, the army must soar above the obstacles. It is in the nature of military training.
“Nigerians expect performance in the Kaduna sector. Our gallant soldiers must bring those terrorists to their knees. There can be no excuse this time around because the body language of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces does not stomach any lackadaisical mien.
“Unlike before when money meant for the purchase of weaponry was siphoned into the pockets of politicians, funds meant for the purchase of arms are now being used for the procurement of the best weapons on the African continent. Tucano aircrafts are here. 34 newly purchased fighting aircrafts were delivered this week to the Nigerian Army. To whom much is given, much is expected.
“The citizens of Kaduna State may also take their destiny in their hands. They should learn from the people of Biu in Borno State. Boko Haram’s incessant and brutal attacks did not stop until Biu people rose against the ‘enemy within’ by fishing out Boko Haram’s informants. This forced the terrorists to raise the white flag. It led to relative peace in Biu community.
“The people of Kaduna State must contribute their quota to government’s efforts. Freedom is never given on a platter of gold. You must struggle for it. Security of lives and properties is not the job of the government and security agencies alone. The good citizens must open their eyes and ears. The rule is ‘See something, say something’. Most of the bandits traumatising Kaduna citizens live among the people. They must be given the Biu treatment.
“By way of digression, the nuts and bolts of killed or kidnapped in Kaduna which were provided by El-Rufai has rubbished the claim made in certain quarters that Christians were being killed in Nigeria. The naked truth is that bandits and terrorists are indiscriminate in the manner they carry out attacks. They know no religion, no ethnicity. It is petty, inhuman and cowardly to take advantage of the killings by seeking to swing the figures in favour of one religion.”
Professor Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC)
