The Aare Musulumi of Yoruba Land, Edo and Delta, His Eminence Alhaji (Dr) Dawud Makanjuola Akinola, has expressed deep sorrow over the recent killings in Benue State, describing the incident as tragic, condemnable, and a national calamity.
In a press statement issued on Saturday, Alhaji Akinola conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, the government, and the people of Benue State. He prayed for comfort for the mourning families, healing for the affected communities, and eternal rest for the departed souls.
The prominent Islamic leader decried the rising wave of violent attacks across Nigeria, warning that no nation can make meaningful progress amid fear, bloodshed, and persistent insecurity.
While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his condolence visit and reassurance to the people of Benue, the Aare Musulumi urged the Federal Government to go beyond rhetoric by empowering security agencies and state authorities to act decisively. He emphasized the need to tackle the root causes of insecurity, including poverty, injustice, impunity, and weak intelligence coordination.
Alhaji Akinola renewed his call for a constitutionally-backed state policing system, which he described as a viable step toward ensuring grassroots security. He maintained that central policing lacks the local intelligence and rapid response capability needed to effectively address community-level threats.
He further demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of perpetrators of the Benue killings, stressing that swift and transparent justice is essential to restoring public confidence.
In his appeal to fellow religious and traditional leaders, Alhaji Akinola urged them to promote peace, tolerance, and national unity. He also encouraged citizens to reject violence and use lawful avenues to express grievances.
The Aare Musulumi reaffirmed his commitment to peace advocacy, good governance, and the protection of all lives in Nigeria, regardless of ethnic or religious identity.
