The leadership of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has condemned the killing of 47 herdsmen during accidental airstrikes by the Nigerian Air Force in Nasarawa. The organization has called on the Federal Government to identify and prosecute those responsible for this tragic incident. The JNI is led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, who also serves as the spiritual leader of Nigerian Muslims. In a brief statement issued in Kaduna on Thursday, the JNI Secretary-General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar-Aliyu, urged the government to provide compensation to the families of the victims who lost their loved ones in the attack.
The JNI emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the events that led to this unfortunate bloodshed in Doma. The organization has called for an inquiry into the actions of the military, particularly the Nigerian Air Force, regarding this incident. The JNI warned against the government ignoring the matter, stating that this incident is one too many and appears to be a deliberate attempt to instill fear among farmers and herdsmen in Nasarawa State.
In their statement, the JNI expressed solidarity with the government and people of Nasarawa State, condemning the massacre of over 40 innocent Fulani herders in Doma Local Government Area. They highlighted the grotesque slaying of hundreds of cows by unidentified individuals, noting the lack of intervention from security forces in the area. Reports suggest that some sources claimed helicopters were involved in bombing the victims, while others described a horrific, coordinated attack from multiple angles, creating a deeply distressing situation.
The JNI stressed that this act of violence is one that cannot be overlooked. They noted that Nigerians are yearning for concrete action from the government. The organization called for the government to acknowledge the victims and the locations of the attacks by expressing condolences to the affected communities, stating that it is better late than never. They suggested that a national broadcast following a visit to the affected areas would be necessary to prevent potential reprisals, as public anger over recent events affecting innocent and defenseless people is palpable.
Furthermore, the JNI urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to provide compensation (Diyya) to the bereaved families to ensure equity and justice, thereby reducing the likelihood of vengeance or reprisal. They called for the prosecution of officials found negligent in their duties to serve as a deterrent to other indifferent officials. Additionally, the JNI recommended collaboration with relevant security agencies to establish a timeline for addressing security threats across the country and to eliminate the proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALWs) among criminals. They cautioned that without decisive action, Nigeria may continue to see an increase in arms proliferation as citizens resort to self-defense in response to perceived government inaction.
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