Date: 2021-02-24

A call has gone to the Nigerian Military and other Security Agencies to re-strategise and prevent attacks of insurgents of any soft target against any citizen whatsoever in the Country. They must also improve on their gathering mechanism to be able to forestall any impending attacks anywhere in the troubled spots and anywhere in the Country.

This call was made today by the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria while reacting to fresh attack on Maiduguri - Borno State last night.

In a Press Statement released this morning and signed by its National Coordinator Mal. Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Group stated that the positive impact of the newly appointed Service Chiefs must be seen practically and not rhetorically, urging the new Military Helmsmen to change the course of history on terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and all forms of violent crimes in Nigeria.

While commiserating with families, relations and friends of the victims of the attack, the Group called on FG to hasten actions on increase of manpower, training and retraining provision of sophisticated weapons, equipment and other logistics to the Military and other Security Agencies to wipe-out criminals from Nigeria's Territory urgently.

Meanwhile, the Group in the same Press Statemrnt condemned the statement made last night by Mr. Obadiah Mailafiya formerly of Central Bank of Nigeria in which he described boko-haram terrorism, banditry and other violent crimes going-on in Nigeria as 'Implementation of islamisation Agenda of some feudal lords in Nigeria'.

In a reaction to the comment made last night between 7.00 - 7.30 PM on PLUS TV AFRICA by Mailafiya, the Group described the statement as senseless, reckless and irresponsible; and remarked that how could islamisation Agenda target Muslims in North East, North West and North Central Regions of Nigeria where over 90% of them are Muslims? An Agenda of that sort would surely target the South-East and South-South where large percentage of the population are non-muslims. It therefore condemned in its entirety the Islamophobia agenda been falsely spread by some discredited Nigerians referring to it as comments emanating from religious gbigots, extremists and ethnic propagandists whose soul aim is to destabilise and divide the Country to satisfy their political agenda, pointing out that such unpatriotic efforts would surely fail, GOD LOVES NIGERIA and it's people.

The Musilm Media Watch Group of Nigeria also drew the attention of Nigerians to similar false statement credited to Mr. Obadiah Mailafiya last year when he said on ARISE TV that 'He knew one of the Northern Governors in Nigeria sponsoring Boko-Haram and insurgency in the Country'. This reckless and false statement made the Police and DSS authorities in Abuja to invite him several times to name the Governor which unfortunately he could not!

MMWG therefore warned that false, inflammatory and irresponsible statements ought not to be made by any patriotic Nigerian - calling on Security Agencies to stop treating criminal offences of this nature with 'kid gloves', pointing out that the levity with which they treat criminally-minded utterances of some people has been responsible for insecurity we are witnessing in the Country. It finally expressed its support for prosecution of anyone making unguarded, false and irresponsible comments that could generate heat in the Country no matter his status in the Society. The Group commended President Muhammadu Buhari for prioritising Security in 2021 Approved Budget pointing out that that was what the Senate President Dr. Ahmed Lawan was referring to over the weekend when he said the Nation would within the next two months see a total onslaught on the criminals disturbing this Country.

Against the backdrop of attack launched against some students in Kwara State last week by some School Principals over the wearing of hijab by some muslim students, the MMWG commended the Kwara State Government for taking decisive action that prevented religious chaos.

MMWG re-affirmed its belief that wearing of hijab is a religious duty for female muslims wherever they are and that that was why the Federal Ministry of Education issued a circular over 10 years ago to the authorities of all FGCs and FGGCs across the Federation to allow interested female students to use it in all its Schools. This was done to douse the tension that was prevailing in various Educational Institutions under its purview that time. As at today, hijab controversy never resurfaced again FG owned Schools.

As for returning of schools to the Christian Missions in Kwara State, the Group stated that the matter is settled as Kwara CAN lost the two cases it instigated against the Kwara State Government; adding that Ilorin High Court in May, 2016 dismissed the suit filed by CAN and Court of Appeal Ilorin in September, 2019 also dismissed the Appeal filed by CAN since 2016; pointing out that the two legal judgements must be respected and put to action by all concerned until any Appeal that might be eventually filed CAN succeeds at Supreme Court of Nigeria. MMWG commended the Muslim Missions in Kwara State for not joining any issue with Kwara State Government over the Schools both Missions (Muslims and Christians) jointly and willingly handed over to the KWSG 45 years ago; and also for maintaining law and other in their Schools including non-denial of any right due to christian students in their Schools.

The Group concluded by appealing to both Christians and Muslims in the State to continue to live in peace, unity and harmony in the spirit of which the State is known as THE STATE OF HARMONY; adding that they all belong to ONE GOD and worship Him ALONE.

24th February, 2021 CE

12th Rajab, 1442 AH