In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by its Secretary-General, Professor Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, JNI accused the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government of failing to act proactively in addressing the persistent violence, lamenting repeated intelligence failures that have left communities vulnerable to attacks by insurgents, bandits, and kidnappers.

The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), led by the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has expressed grave concerns over Nigeria’s escalating security crisis, citing widespread abductions, killings, ethnic violence, and renewed Boko Haram attacks.

In a statement issued in Abuja and signed by its Secretary-General, Professor Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, JNI accused the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government of failing to act proactively in addressing the persistent violence, lamenting repeated intelligence failures that have left communities vulnerable to attacks by insurgents, bandits, and kidnappers.

“The Federal Government should be seen to be proactive on security matters. The recurrence of security cataclysms, including abductions, killings, renewed attacks by Boko Haram insurgents and ethnic violence here and there in Nigeria, is alarming, and there is urgent need for redress,” JNI stated.

Reacting to the recent killing of Muslim wedding guests travelling from Zaria, Kaduna State, to Mangu Local Government Area in Plateau State, JNI condemned what it described as a targeted attack by “Plateau Christian mobs.”

“The national headquarters of JNI, after careful situational assessment, joins other well-meaning Nigerians to condemn in the strongest terms the barbaric killings,” the statement read.

JNI alleged that Christian militias in Plateau State have a history of violent attacks against Muslim travellers, referencing past incidents including the 2011 Eid attack in Jos and the murder of Brigadier General Idris Alkali (rtd.) in 2018.

“The gory pictures and narratives of the survivors from the repeated attacks are so mind-boggling,” JNI lamented, accusing Plateau State authorities of failing to prosecute perpetrators and warning that such impunity could provoke reprisals.

The group further demanded immediate prosecution of all suspects arrested over the Mangu killings, compensation for victims’ families, and replacement of the Ahmadu Bello University bus destroyed during the attack.

In response, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged JNI and other religious groups to stop trading accusations and work together to end the violence.

Reverend John Hayab, Chairman of CAN in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), told Vanguard in an interview that while CAN unequivocally condemns all violence, religious leaders must focus on solutions rather than inflaming tensions.

“People must stop the blame game and confront the truth,” Hayab said. “When we reduce these killings to lies, accusations, or a competition for sympathy, the violence in Nigeria will never end.”

Hayab emphasised that CAN has consistently condemned violence, including the Mangu killings, and called on all faith leaders to hold perpetrators accountable within their own communities.

“If we truly want to address the root causes of this crisis, we must stop pointing fingers and call a spade a spade,” he stated.

Beyond the Plateau crisis, JNI highlighted growing insecurity nationwide, pointing to: Boko Haram’s renewed attacks in Borno and other parts of the North-East; Killings in Zuru Local Government Area of Kebbi State and bandit threats in Sokoto State; Violence against Muslims and mosques in parts of Benue State; rising kidnappings in Kwara State, including arson attacks on the Emir of Lafiagi’s palace and an NDLEA office.

JNI called on security agencies to enhance intelligence gathering and warned that “justice delayed is justice denied,” urging decisive action to end the cycle of violence.