From Muhammad Ibrahim, Kaduna
Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has expressed worry over the repeated crackdown on innocent Muslims in the name of Boko Haram by security agencies, just as it condemns in strong terms the arrest of 486 northern passengers near Aba, Abia state, by the Nigerian Army.
The religious body further asked if there was a thorough investigations ab-initio, which revealed or suggested that the arrested Muslims were suspected Boko Haram members.
In a statement issued by its Secretary General, Dr. Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, in Kaduna, the JNI said: “We don’t support any acts of criminality, insurgency, violence or extremism. These acts stand condemned. But why the sudden arrest of innocent Muslims, who go about lawful business in their own country? Is it simply because of their identity as Muslims? Would it be healthy to set this type of precedent in Nigeria?
“JNI therefore strongly condemned the arbitrary arrest of innocent Muslims, thus implored that they be charged to court, as putting them in detention for more than 62 hours is unhealthy and abuse of fundamental human rights.
“We however, call on all the security agencies to investigate thoroughly first before any arrest, so that confidence in our security agencies could be restored”, it said.
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