The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), under the leadership of Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has strongly denounced the recent triple bomb explosions in Maiduguri, Borno State, describing the incident as a brutal act that undermines the security progress recorded in the North-East.
The coordinated blasts reportedly struck key locations, Monday Market, the Post Office, and an area close to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, resulting in the deaths of at least 25 people and injuries to more than 100 others.
In a statement issued on Thursday, March 19, by the JNI Secretary-General, Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, the group expressed deep shock that the attacks occurred during the sacred period of Iftar and evening prayers.
Abubakar, who is also the President-General of the JNI, described the incident as “painful, cruel, and utterly condemnable.”
“These coordinated attacks are devastating and clearly perpetrated by enemies of the Nigerian state at a time citizens were beginning to feel some relief,” he said.
The organisation noted that the return of such large-scale violence points to a decline in alertness among both security operatives and the general public.
“It appears that the relative calm previously experienced has led to reduced alertness, which has now been exploited by insurgents,” the statement added.
JNI further warned that the increasing frequency of such attacks in Borno and other parts of the country is deeply troubling and should not be allowed to persist.
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“The persistent loss of innocent lives is becoming dangerously normalised in the psyche of Nigerians, which is unacceptable,” it stated.
The group called on security agencies to urgently reassess and strengthen their strategies in response to the changing tactics of insurgents, including coordinated assaults and ambushes.
It emphasised the importance of intelligence-led operations and urged citizens to actively support security efforts by sharing credible information with authorities.
JNI also appealed to the Federal Government to take firm and sustained measures to tackle terrorism, banditry, and other violent crimes nationwide.
“Government must overhaul the security architecture with clear timelines and provide Nigerians with regular briefings on progress and challenges,” it said.
In addition, the organisation urged authorities to provide compensation to victims, including the payment of diyyah to grieving families, and to ensure that those injured receive full medical care.
It also stressed the need for closer collaboration among security agencies, government officials, political leaders, and civil society groups to effectively combat insecurity.
The Sultan extended his condolences to Babagana Umara Zulum, the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, and families of the victims, offering prayers for the departed souls and wishing the injured a speedy recovery.