Take More Decisive Action Against All Criminals, Sultan Tells Federal Gov’t

The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Mohamed Sa’ad Abubakar, has demanded that the federal government overhaul the security architecture with defined timelines of operation(s) and a monthly security briefing on gains and losses.

In a statement issued by the JNI secretary-general, Prof. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, on Wednesday, while condemning the Maiduguri triple bomb blasts, said the government should take ‘‘more  decisive action(s) against all criminals and bring these gory incidences to a final end.”

He called on the government to pay full compensation to the family members of the victims and to provide complete medical care to the injured.

The statement reads in parts, “The Sultan of Sokoto and the president-general, JNI expresses shock over the triple bomb blasts which occurred at the popular Monday Market, Post Office and near the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), when the Muslim faithful were observing Iftar (breaking of fast) and prayers in Maiduguri, Borno State on Monday, 16th March, 2026.

“The barbaric acts/events are painful and very much condemnable, cruel and devastating, to say the least. Reportedly, no fewer than 25 lives were lost so far, and over 100 are in hospitals with little or no chance of making it. The recent Maiduguri triple blasts are undoubtedly well-coordinated by the enemies of the Nigerian state and are coming at a time when Nigerians were heaving a sigh of relief, as such types of blasts were more or less becoming history due to the supposed decapitation of insurgency in the North East, Nigeria”

JNI said, “It, however, seems that the security outfits in the North-East, as well as the public, have lowered their vigilance, a situation taken advantage of by ISWAP. The recurring acts of attacks, particularly in Borno state and beyond, are alarming, uncalled for and why now? Unfortunately, human life now does not matter to some persons; baseless killing is now reported daily and becoming more of a new normal, as if Nigerians have no conscience that, on a daily basis, human lives are being massacred! Yet no significant effort is seen being put to avert the senseless reoccurrences.”

Aliyu continued, “There is obviously the need for continued vigilance, especially by the members of the public, so as not to allow unscrupulous elements to take advantage of their naivety to wreak havoc. It is also high time that the security agencies review their modes of operation to meet the dynamic, renewed attacks by ISWAP and other criminal elements, as they continue to change tactics. Insurgents regrettably seem to deploy more tactical manoeuvres with precision – they flank, ambush, breach, conceal/cover and are more deceptive.

“Anyone with a fair understanding of effective tactical maneuvers would understand that more needed to be done to outstrip the insurgents with credible intelligence support from the citizens.

“The government should, with all seriousness it deserves, take more decisive action(s) against all criminals, and bring these gory incidents to a final end. The loss of lives experienced on daily bases in Nigeria is becoming too normalised in the psyche of Nigerians, which in itself is an aberration of doctrinal teachings. We make bold to say that often when Muslims are attacked especially in mosques, during Ramadan fast – as it happened severally this year, it is either nothing is heard from those who are to-be-heard, or the storyline is downplayed entirely,” he said.

JNI added, “Must the card of ethnicity, politics or religious divide be played with the senseless killing of human life? With the several killings of Muslims in Nigeria, nobody seemed genuinely concerned. Why? If perchance it should happen to others, not Muslims, hypocritical genocide will be the sensational storyline/headline. We, as Muslims, have understood the double standards of the so-called friends of Nigeria. Time and space will expose them more in-sha’Allah”

“The federal government should be seen to be proactive on security matters, as well as assure and assuage citizens’ fears at critical moments of grief. The recurrent security breaches, such as kidnappings, armed banditry, rising bomb blasts and attacks by Boko Haram cum ISWAP insurgents, in addition to ethnic violence here and there within Nigeria, are alarming.

“Government needs to overhaul the security architecture with defined timelines of operation(s), as well as monthly security briefing on gains and losses transparently let known to Nigerians, as citizens are becoming more and more agitated and we have again and again stated same,” he said.