Boko Haram: Sanusi blames FG for terror spread

Boko Haram’s acts of terrorism are escalating only
because of the weak response from the federal
government, the Sarkin Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu
Sanusi 11, said yesterday in Auchi, headquarters of
Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State
yesterday.
Nigerians, he said, should therefore rise up and
defend themselves vigorously from further
intimidation and attacks by the insurgents.
“First responsibility of the state is to protect lives
and properties of its citizens or it loses the basis of
its existence” the former Central Bank governor
said at the closing ceremony of the 29th National
Quranic recitation.
Islamic leaders, he added, must speak up now
against Boko Haram’s atrocities “or we are guilty
of complicity.”
“It is extremely important that we look at the Quran
which provides the most noble of behaviors and
character. Selling free borns into slavery,
kidnapping of young girls and rape are un-Islamic.
“We can’t keep quiet while people are being killed,
we must fight to make sure our religion is not
distorted .But the state must protect us. If your
enemy comes to attack you and you run away
Allah will not help you.”
He reiterated his position that Muslims across the
country must defend themselves against Boko
Haram insurgency, pointing out that the terrorists
are still in business and gaining more territories
only because the Nigeria state becomes weak.
He urged the Federal Government to wake up to its
responsibility by liberating parts of Borno, Yobe,
Adamawa states currently under the control of
Boko Haram.
He called on the people to stop running from the
terrorists whom he said are projecting Islam
wrongly.
Sanusi hailed the people of Kano for putting up a
gallant resistance when terrorists attacked the Emir
Palace central Mosque, Kano during the November
28, 2014 Jumat prayer.
Dozens of worshippers were killed in the attack and
so were the men suspected as the brains behind
the terror.
That attack came a few weeks after the Sarkin
Kano first challenged Nigerians to defend
themselves against the sect.
Sanusi, who was outside the country during the
siege, rushed back home and reiterated that the
people should stand up to the sect.
Boko Haram’s leader,Abubakar Shekau responded
a few days later threatening to come after the
traditional ruler.
Shekau said his sect did not consider Sanusi a
true Muslim and would attack him whenever an
opportunity presented itself.
Also speaking at yesterday’s event in Auchi, the
Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Gabai El
Kanemi, called for the sustenance of the Qur’anic
recitation describing it as the most important
rallying point for Muslims.
El Kanemi urged Muslims to base their teachings
on the Holy Quran and not to mislead their
followers.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole said government was
nothing if it could not protect lives and property of
its citizens.
At the end of the 10- day recitation, Yusuf
Muhammad Baffa Dukku from Gombe state came
first in the male category with 95.2 points.
He went home with N500, 000 and a 4 runner jeep
while Khadija Tanimu Abdullahi from Plateau state
won the female category with 91.1 points.
She also got N500, 000 and a Lexus Jeep for her
effort.