Boko Haram: Nigeria is a weak state — Sanusi

Prosper

THE Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi 11, Sarkin Kano, yesterday, called on Muslims to defend themselves against Boko Haram, describing the nation as a weak state.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 29th National Quranic Recitation in Auchi, Edo State, the former CBN boss stressed that Boko Haram members were only able to take over some territories from the country because the state was unable to defend its citizens and protect lives and property due to the weakness of the system.

“The first responsibility of the state is to protect lives and property of its citizens or it loses the basis of its existence. Borno, Yobe and Adamawa must be liberated from Boko Haram and it is a task for government to accomplish to ensure that Boko Haram is defeated,” he said.

He urged the people to stop running away from terrorists, whom, according to him, are projecting the Islamic religion in an ungodly manner.

“It is extremely important that we looked at the Qur’ran which provides the most noble of behaviours and character. We must stop running away from these wicked people because selling free borns into slavery, kidnapping of our young girls and rape is un-Islamic. Muslim leaders must speak up against it else we will be guilty of complicity,”the monarch stated.

“For Boko Haram to take over some areas in Borno, kill 2,000 people in Baga shows that the Nigerian state is weak. But we cannot keep quiet while people are being killed, we must fight to make sure our religion is not distorted but the state must protect us. The state owns us that duty to protect our citizens. Our people must fight Boko Haram, we must not run away from them because if we do, Allah will not help us. We must defend our religion so that the evil people will not distort it. This is a duty that we must all join hands together to fight”.

The Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar Gabai El Kanemi, at the occasion, explained that the Qur’anic Recitation is the most important rallying point for Muslims which he said must be sustained. He called on Muslims to base their teachings on the Holy Quaran in order not to mislead their followers.

Speaking earlier, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State prayed God to help the country overcome the security challenges in the North East, just as he noted that there are challenges all over the world.

At the end of the 10-day recitation, Yusuf Muhammad Baffa Dukku, from Gombe State, won the competition for the male category with 95.2 points to come first winning N500,000 and a 4 Runner jeep while Khadija Tanimu Abdullahi, from Plateau State, won the competition for the female category scoring 91.1 points to come first with a prize of N500,000 and a Lexus jeep.