JMA, FOMWAN seek end to insecurity

The Jama’iyar Matan Arewa (JMA) and the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) have expressed concern over the rising cases of banditry and kidnaping in Kaduna State and the killing of Northerners residing in the southern part of the country.

They then called on government at all levels to bring an end to the worrisome situation which they said women are most affected.

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President of JMA, Hajiya Rabi Musa Saulawa at a media briefing on the predicament of northern people in the southern part of Nigeria called on President Muhammadu Buhari, and the leadership of the National Assembly to immediately reconvene a National Conference as a follow-up to the one held in 2014 in the face of rising insecurity in the country.

She then encouraged aggrieved groups to channel Their concerns and agitations through the elected representatives of the NASS for a debate as required under a democratic dispensation or better still, hold a Referendum on the way forward.

While commending the government for its untiring efforts to tackle the hydra-headed security challenges in the country, she expressed optimism that the concerns being raised by certain sections of the country can be addressed in a civilized and peaceful manner, rather than resorting to violence.

She however regretted that for the past 12 years, the North has been under ‘a relentless onslaught by Boko Haram insurgents, incessant banditry, and herders-farmer’s clashes, leading to massacres and ransacking of whole communities.’

“To further compound matters, Northerners are now profiled, attacked, intimidated, and killed in the South West and South East geo political zones. We are all witnesses to the recent murder and orchestrated destruction of shops/properties belonging to Northerners at Sasha Market and Igangan community in Oyo State and the incineration of a trailer load of cattle and food stuff from the North in Anambra State,” she stressed.

Meanwhile, State Amirah, FOMWAN Hajiya Aisha Isyaku Tukur in a statement expressed the association’s concern over the ‘unabated’ activities of bandits and kidnappers despite the efforts put in by the state government and security agencies.

She described the recent invasion of Nuhu Bamall Polytechnic and the kidnap of eight members of same family by bandits as sad and barbaric and appealed to the abductors to please stop these senseless activities and embrace peace.

She however stressed that “as mothers, we are deeply saddened and call on government to intensify efforts at protecting the citizenry, particularly women and children in the state.”

She further urged well meaning Nigerians to intensify prayers to God Almighty to touch and change the hearts of the abductors and appealed to the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli and other Traditional rulers in the state to help in taming the monster.