Ulamas support calls for self defence

The group, which was reacting to the Kano bomb blast, urged Muslims to protect themselves within the ambit of the constitution.
Leader of the group, Shaikh Usman Abubakar Baba Tuni, at a press conference in Kaduna, called on the federal government to rise up to the occasion and end the killings.
He said Muslims would no longer fold their hands  and watch their lives and property destroyed.
“The council has repeatedly called on the federal government and its security agencies to bring to an end the mass killing of innocent children, women, and the aged in the country, particularly in Kano and the North eastern part of Nigeria, where almost every day people are killed with impunity,” he said.
The council also described the attackers actions as un-Islamic.
The council said it will never shy away from “condemning atrocities being committed against Muslims in Nigeria.”
The group further urged the government to equip the military to adequately fight the insurgency.
In a related development,  National Chairman, Council of Ulama of Jamaatul Izalatul Bidia Wa Ikamatus Sunnah (JIBWIS), Sheik Sani Yahaya Jingir, has described the Kano mosque attack as inhuman and senseless.
Jingir, who addressed newsmen yesterday in Jos, said: “This mos-que attack is a clarion call for self defence and we reiterate the call and support the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sunusi II, who advo-cates self defence as a means to halt the activities of terrorists.”
Jingir commended the people of Kano for not taking laws into their hands, adding, “people of Kano have demonstrated maturity by remaining calm despite provocation by callous and wicked minded people who intend to break the fabric of cohesion and cause disharmony and hatred among Nigerians.”
“This attack is a clear pointer that the activities of terrorist have no boundaries. Therefore, we are calling on all Nigerians, irrespective of their religious or ethnic background to unite against terrorists who have declared total war against us,” he said.
“We must device a legitimate means to defend ourselves. We must give all necessary moral and financial support to our youths and build their capacity to enhance our security. The time has come for us to teach our men, women, youths and children security consciousness and how to handle security situations. We commiserate with the emir, government and people of Kano State for this sad event and pray Allah to grant the deceased eternal rest.”
The National Chairman called on government at all levels, groups as well as individuals to support victims of terrorists attacks, especially women and children.  He also called for fervent prayers.