Leaders from various Muslim organisations in Nigeria under the umbrella of Muslims United for Peace and Justice have condemned the cold-blooded murder of Harira Jubril and her four children by members of the outlawed terror group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), demanding that the perpetrators be fished out and brought to book earnestly.
The group, in a statement issued by their head, Alhaji AbdulHameed Danmole, called on security agencies to urgently curtail the activities of the terror group, and its armed wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Alhaji Danmole also raised concern over the deteriorating state of insecurity in the region, from killing of indigenes, who don’t share their jaundiced views, to non-indigenes, particularly Northern Muslims.
He said, “We are deeply worried that IPOB/ESN terrorists have amplified their murderous escapades with utmost impunity in recent times, such that they are now on the same pedestal as the equally evil and murderous Boko Haram terrorists ravaging the North.
“Apart from mercilessly killing fellow Igbos who don’t share their jaundiced views, the IPOB/ESN terrorists are now targeting Muslims, particularly northerners for assassination.
Read the full press statement below
Anambra killings: Curb IPOB/ESN Terrorists
We are still shocked not only by the gruesome and cold-blooded murder of a pregnant Muslim lady, Harira Jubril and her four children by IPOB/ESN terrorists (hypocritically tagged Unknown Gunmen) on Sunday May 22, 2022 at Isulo, Anambra State but by the response (or near lack of it) after the evil event.
This dastardly act has again accentuated the need for security agents to urgently curtail this terror group before it throws the country into an intractable ethno-religious strife.
We unequivocally condemn the cold-blooded murder and demand that the perpetrators be fished out and brought to book earnestly.
It is clear that their evil intention was to provoke a reprisal attack on Nigerians of Igbo (or Southern extraction) living up North and thus throw the country into another civil war. We therefore commend our Northern compatriots for not taking that evil bait.
We implore them to remain calm and eschew vengeance, as two wrongs never make a right.Moreso, it is forbidden in Islam to visit the sin of one person on another, such amounts to injustice.
However, we are deeply worried that IPOB/ESN terrorists have amplified their murderous escapades with utmost impunity in recent times, such that they are now on the same pedestal as the equally evil and murderous Boko Haram terrorists ravaging the North.
Apart from mercilessly killing fellow Igbos who don’t share their jaundiced views, the IPOB/ESN terrorists are now targeting Muslims, particularly northerners, for assassination.
Reports have it that no fewer than ten northerners were killed on the same day Harira Jibril was killed. One Abdullahi selling roasted meat (Suya) was reportedly killed at Nnanka, while five commercial motorcycle riders, all northerners, were also killed at Onocha Local Government Area.
All these killings were perpetrated a few days after an Anambra State lawmaker, Okey Okoye was abducted and beheaded by the same IPOB/ESN terrorists.
While the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo had promptly placed a N10 million ransom on the heads of Okoye’s killers, he only commiserated with Harira’s family without much ado .
Indeed, the general response from Igboland to the latest killing of northern Muslims in their backyard has been poor and uninspiring.
Even nationally, the response to the dastardly act has been lukewarm.
Unlike the vociferous nation-wide uproar and condemnation that greeted the dastardly murder of Debora Samuel by irate youths in Sokoto a few days earlier, the reactions from politicians, a section of the media, human rights community, christian leaders and the so-called ethnic nationality groups, have ranged from a deafening silence to mere perfunctory statements of condemnation.
It is important to note that the seeming indifference being displayed by some section of the media and other non-Muslim stakeholders in the Harira et al matter has become a standard practice, suggesting that Muslim lives don’t matter.
This is a sign of deep rooted Islamophobia and it is quite unfortunate, because humanity is one.
Violence must be condemned by all and sundry because it is an ill wind that could blow in all directions.
All well-meaning people and groups, irrespective of religious or tribal inclinations, must collectively and continuously stand and speak against violence so that our country does not slip into total anarchy.
We pray the Almighty Allah to rectify our affairs and restore peace and justice to our nation.
This statement is from Muslims United for Peace and Justice. We are a group of leaders of various Muslim Organisations, an action task team with the mandate to counter hate, impunity, bigotry, corruption and violence in all ramifications and promote justice, tolerance, mutual respect and understanding amongst the diverse faith and ethnic communities in Nigeria.
Endorsement
1. Prof Lakin Akintola, Muslim Rights Concern MURIC
2. Professor Abdurazaq Kilani, Al-Usrah Incorporated Port Harcourt, Rivers State
3. Alhaji Ariyo Olushekun, Islamic Forum
4. Babalola Abdur-Rasheed, Executive Secretary, Movement for Islamic Culture and Awareness
5. Kamor Disu, Executive Chairman, Muslim Public Affairs Centre MPAC
6. Dr. Oloke E.S, The Academy
7. Bro Nurudeen Yousuph, Amir
Muslim Students Society, Lagos State Area Unit
8. Bro Nurudeen Tijani, National Chairman, Ansar-ud-Deen Youth Association of Nigeria (ADYAN)
9. Imam Najeem Jimoh, Lighthouse Mosque
10. Ustadh Nurudeen Ibrahim, Executive Director, IRFAN Centre
11. Alh Yekeen Nurudeen Adekunle, Executive Secretary, Zakaat and Awqaaf Amana Foundation
12. Mr Hakeem Oyewale, President
Guild of Muslim Professionals
13. Malam Nurudeen Asonogie
14. Shakirudeen Olofin
Chairman, Muslim Vanguard
