By Brave Dickson
The Rivers State Council For Islamic Affairs has demanded for the immediate investigation and prosecution of those who allegedly shot and killed Maajo Mohammed and Buddah Mohammed.
The demand was contained in a three paged speech released by the State Islamic Leader and Vice President-General, Rivers State Council For Islamic Affairs, Alhaji Nasir Awhelebe Uhor which he made available to our correspondent in Port Harcourt.
Alhaji Uhor was quoted as saying that, “we demand that the gruesome murder of two Muslims, Maajo Mohammed and Buddah Mohammed, who were shot and hacked to death at about 2:am on February 13 at Oyigbo Central Mosque by suspected IPOB members be thoroughly investigated and the murderers be brought to book. A compensation should also be paid to the families of the victims. This matter should not be swept under the rug because they were muslims.
“Even though the state falsely claim that Rivers State is 100 percent Christian state, the cold blooded murder of any resident of the state, whether Muslim or not should jolt the governor and his government into action to empathise with the victims and to go after the assassins.
“The South Pacific Island country of New Zealand is far more Christian than Rivers State. Yet when over 50 Muslims were gunned to death in a mosque, the Prime Minister (a true Christian woman) within the hour, mobilized her entire government and people behind the Muslims.
“The Prime Minister even wore hijab and also had the azhan (Muslim call to prayer). But here, repeated attacks on Muslims have never for once moved the governor and his government.
“The stark truth is that there is a sizeable and growing population of Muslims in the state and Obio/Akpor is among the Local Government Areas that host the largest concentration of Muslims in the state.
“In the last two years, there have been increasing violent attacks on Muslims and mosques in the state. The attacks included, but not limited to those at Rumuekini, Eneka, Port Harcourt City and especially at Oyigbo Central Mosque where two Muslim brothers were shot and macheted to death.
“Because of these attacks on Muslims and mosques, many of our brethren are now living in fear. But we thank Allah for our safety and for making it possible for us to end this year’s Ramadan fast with no attacks or murder of Muslims in the state.
“And so, be careful and avoid engaging in unnecessary disputes that could lead to violence against yourselves. Remember that anything bad is always blamed on Muslims.
“Even then, I urge all Muslims to remain law abiding. Do not resort to self help even when provoked or when your rights and interest are threatened and violated. Report such abuses to either law enforcement agencies, your imams or direct to the Bait-ul Islam, (the council secretariat).
“Continue with your support for those in authority over you including your leaders and governments at all levels. Pray for the security, peace and unity of the country. Pray that Allah may protect and guide aright, our President, Muhammadu Buhari, state governors, national and state Houses of Assembly members and those of the judiciary.
“Also pray for the service chiefs and the entire officers and men of the military and para-military agencies who are staking their lives for the security of our country.”
The state Islamic leader therefore reiterated his call on security agencies in the state as well as the state government to intervene so as to put an end to the increasing violent attacks on Muslims and mosques in the state.
Though, TPCN is yet to receive comments from the police on how far the security agency has investigated the murder of the two Muslim brothers as phone calls made by our correspondent to the state police image maker, Nnamdi Omoni indicated phone switched off.
