James Orji
The Chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters Mosque, Sheikh Nuru Khalid, has lashed out at President Muhammadu Buhari for allowing bandits to control a part of Nigeria.
Buhari has been under fire from prominent Nigerians in the manner he has handled insecurity in the country.
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state has faulted the president in the manner he has handled the farmers/ herders crisis. While Transport Minister, Rotimi Ameachi has warned that bandits will take over Abuja, the nation’s capital, if the government failed to tackle the many social problems plaguing the country.
On his own part, the Iman, in a viral video, said God will punish Buhari if he failed to rein in bandits who have been kidnapping school children and others in Northern part of the country.
The cleric while while addressing worshippers during his Friday sermon, said the president must ensure that he ended the menace before leaving power.
He said, “Go and tell the president that under his government some group of people are issuing threats to local communities, demanding that they be paid some amounts of money or face attack.
“And they would gather the money and announce publicly on the BBC that they (bandits) would be paid this Friday [to avoid attack].
“Tell the president that there is a country we pay allegiance to, and there is a part of the country we do not know, which is governed by bandits.
“The president should either return the country as one nation where bandits are not killing people anyhow — just the way he took over, or Allah (God) will deal with him.
“This is the message. I’m saying this in an open forum, and it is live-streamed for the world to see. I take responsibility for my words, and I’m ready to face whatever consequences for preaching peace and unity of Nigeria.
“Mr President, we don’t want to hear the reports of killing of people under your watch. We don’t want to hear reports of cowardice among our soldiers, such that they are attacked at their base.
“We have a video where you said Nigerian soldiers had the patriotism, training, discipline to tackle all manner of criminality in the country. You said if you were elected, you will give them the required support to tackle insurgency in a short period of time.
“Your Excellency, a promise made is a promise kept. If you lack the advisers to remind you about this, we are ready to tell you. We are praying to God to help you fulfil this promise if really you are willing.”
