Emir Sanusi Lamido Says Insurgents Taking Over Territories Shows The Nigeria State Is Weak

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has said the reason for the continued vicious attacks by Boko Haram and why the country was losing territories to the deadly militant sect was because Nigeria had become a weak state.

Speaking in Auchi, Edo State at the closing ceremony of the 29th National Quranic Recitation, the emir said the first responsibility of the state was to protect lives and property of its citizens or it loses the basis for its existence.

“Insurgents’ takeover of some areas in Borno, killing about 2000 people in Baga is a sign that the Nigerian state is weak. But 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,” he said.

Calling on government to defeat Boko Haram, Sanusi said Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states or any other parts of the country still under the deadly sect must be liberated.

Noting that it is the duty of government to protect lives and property of its citizens, Sanusi however called on the people to stop running from the terrorists whom he said were projecting Islamic religion in an ungodly manner.

“If your enemy comes to attack you and you run away, Allah will not help you,” he said while calling on Muslims to defend themselves against terrorists. He therefore commended the people who killed the terrorists who attacked the Jumat Mosque in Kano last year.

Sanusi said, “It is extremely important that we looked at the Qur’an which provides the most noble of behaviours and character”.

He argued that selling freeborn into slavery, kidnapping of young girls and rape was un-Islamic, addding, “Muslim leaders must speak up or we are guilty of complicity”.