They also urged the Federal Government to do more to halt the deadly trend beyond condemning the killings.
CAN and JNI spoke on a day bandits killed 16 persons in a mosque in Niger State.
Condemning the murder of 23 innocent travellers by terrorists in Sokoto State and many other attacks on citizens by criminals, CAN said the killings had further shown how human life was cheaper than that of chickens today in Nigeria.
In a statement, Rev John Joseph Hayab, Vice Chairman, CAN of the 19 Northern states and Abuja, said the religious body was concerned that “the terrorists have taken their crime against Nigerians too far” and called on the Federal Government and governors in the Northern states, especially in the North- West, to take strong measures to stop this evil permanently.”
He continued: “How can people be productive when they are living in perpetual fear of terrorists in their homes and everywhere they go? Security of lives and property is a serious government business but what we are seeing today is how some of our leaders are playing politics with a serious matter that has almost destroyed the peace, joy and hope of the citizens.
“CAN is appealing to security agencies to stop the unhealthy competition among them and work together in unity for the common good of all Nigerians. Our security agencies have all it will take to defeat these terrorists.”
Govt appears unperturbed — JNI
Also speaking on a day that the House of Representatives urged President Muhammadu Buhari to deploy more military personnel to Sokoto State to tackle the menace, the JNI said no fewer than 40 people and not 23 were burnt along Sabon Birni-Sokoto Road, in Sokoto State.
The JNI said, in a statement: “It is forbidden for human life to be killed unjustly, let alone burning it. And in all climes, the government is essentially in place to protect and safe-guard human life from being killed.
‘’Besides, Chapter 2 of the Nigerian Constitution unambiguously affirms that human life is sacrosanct. It is, therefore, utterly disgusting, heartrending and unprecedented the waylaying of unarmed innocent and defenseless passengers and their subsequent burning beyond recognition by the heartless and rampaging bandits at Gidan Bawa village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
‘’Yet the government isn’t perturbed and no concrete action is seen to have been taken. Even the media outcry is trifled, compared to similar incidences in other parts of Nigeria.’
‘’From all indications, despite the establishment of combined security forces along known routes where bandits operate, they still carry out their dastardly acts freely. Isn’t it treacherous and heartless that by plying major roads within North-West – Nigeria, defenseless citizens are allowed to be flocked into kidnappers’ den and thereafter negotiations for ransom payment are initiated?
‘’What is Nigeria turning into, a lawless entity? Amid the Sabon Birni episode, just this morning (Thursday, 9th December, 2021), 16 people were reportedly killed in a mosque at Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State.
‘’What really is the matter that the government has not been able to halt the operations of bandits against innocent citizens, particularly in North-Western Nigeria? We are compelled to assume that the government seems oblivious to the sufferings and agonies of its citizens as a result of the relentless activities of these bandits.”
Reps urge Buhari to deploy military personnel to Sokoto
Meanwhile, concerned by the spate of killings in Sokoto, the House of Representatives, yesterday, urged President Buhari to deploy more military personnel to Sokoto State.
The call followed the consideration of a motion of urgent public importance at plenary, moved by Mohmmed Bargaja from Sokoto State.
Moving the motion, the lawmaker condemned the attack which resulted in the death of 23 travellers.
He also expressed worry over cases of massive killings, kidnappings and other social vices which he said were now on the increase.
Adopting the motion, the House appealed to the President to intervene urgently.
On a similar note, the House also sought the acquisition of modern boats to help reduce the incidence of mishaps on the waterways.
The resolution was sequel to the consideration of a motion titled, “Unfortunate Boat Mishap at Bagwai and Badau of Shanono/Bagwai Federal Constituency, Kano State,” moved by Hon. Ahmed Yusuf Badau.