Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has strongly condemned the killing of worshippers in a mosque attack in Malumfashi Local Government Area of Katsina State.
At least 27 worshippers were killed and several others injured when armed bandits stormed a mosque during the dawn (Fajr) prayer on Tuesday, according to community leaders, hospital officials, and a PRNigeria report.
Pantami, in a statement, expressed deep sorrow over the incident, offering condolences to the families of the victims, the Unguwan Mantau community, and the people of Katsina State.
Quoting a hadith of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the former minister lamented the tragedy of lives being cut short while observing one of the most spiritually rewarding acts of worship.
“These innocent people were murdered while observing one of the most challenging but rewarding prayers. The attackers are worse than animals; they have betrayed the essence of humanity,” Pantami said.
Pantami, who currently serves as Co-Chairman of the African Union’s 4th Industrial Revolution Policy Council (ASRIC), urged security agencies to take “vigorous decisive action” against the perpetrators, describing the killings as “criminality of the highest order.”
He reiterated his long-standing recommendation that Nigerian security forces adopt modern digital tracking methods to combat banditry, stressing the importance of geospatial analysis.
“Security agencies may wish to use geospatial analysis using location data from phones, which could help track the phones in the environment at the time the crime was committed. This is something I have been recommending for six years, privately and otherwise,” he said.
Pantami prayed for Allah to accept the victims as martyrs and grant their families the strength to bear the loss. He also prayed for peace, stability, and security across the country.
