From Muhammad Ibrahim, Kaduna
National Council of Muslim Youth Organizations (NACOMYO) has frowned at the recent arrest of some innocent 486 northerners in Asa, Abia state by soldiers alleging that they are members of Boko Haram and called for the immediate release of the innocent Nigerians.The youth Muslim group also called for full compensation to be paid to them for violating their fundamental human right.
NACOMYO, in a statement signed by its national secretary-general, Malam Bilyamin A. Yusuf, made available to newsmen in Kaduna alleged that it is not the first time innocent Muslims and Nigerians of northern extraction are being subjected to unnecessary harassment in Abia and other eastern states.
The group gave the example of students of Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, who went for a convention of their association and were rounded up in their hotel and quickly labeled “Boko Haram” in the same state few months back.
“The soldiers perpetrating these atrocities should be posted to Borno state, where they could be very useful to detect real Boko Haram instead of subjecting innocent Nigerians to unwarranted sufferings and incarceration.
“NACOMYO calls for immediate release of these innocent Nigerians and full compensation be paid to them for violating their fundamental human right. Greater caution has to be exercised by these soldiers not to create bad precedence that will hinder free movement of Nigerians within the country and retaliation elsewhere,” the group further stated.
It also said it viewed with great concern the ugly development between the ruling and the opposition parties, vis-a-vis the prevailing politicking and elections in both Ekiti and Osun states.
“We urge Nigerian politicians to play according to the rules of the game. NACOMYO warns the politicians to stop encouraging Nigerian youths to take to drugs for the purpose of using them as political thugs, as that amounts only to destroying the future of the nation, which these youths represent,” the group said.
The group further prayed for the safe return of the abducted girls, peaceful, free and fair elections in Ekiti and Osun states as well as soft landing for the nation during the 2015 elections.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
