NAN-DS-2
Forum
By Mohammed Baba Busu
Abuja, Nov. 1, 2017 (NAN) The Niger Forum of Imams has called on the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to remain focused in discharging his official duties of protecting lives and property of Nigerians, in spite of recent barrage of criticisms of police operations in the country.
The Secretary of the Forum, Ustaz Umar Faruk-Abdulillahi, made the appeal when its executive members paid a courtesy visit to the IG in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to him, “Although constructive criticisms are useful to leaders or those in any kind of position, however, negative criticisms should not deter leaders from doing their best in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities.
” This is actually true as such phenomenon will continue to reoccur as even prophets, including Prophet Muhammad (SWA) were criticised, but that did not stop them from excelling.
“What leaders, however, need to succeed are patient, piety, diligence, courage and sense of patriotism,” he said.
Faruk-Abdullahi, however, appealed to those who have formed the habit of undue criticisms to desist and remember the day of resurrection, “when we will all account for our deeds before God Almighty.
“We should fear God in all our actions on earth, knowing fully well that we are all mortars on journey that will surely return to God to account for our deeds while on earth”.
The secretary also urged Nigerians, as Muslims and Christians, to be objective and God-fearing in accusing our leaders at all levels as doing otherwise would have repercussions in this world and in the hereafter.
Also, the Chief Imam of Minna Central Mosque, Ustaz Ibrahim Isah, commended the police boss for boldly reducing crime and criminality in the Nigeria.
He noted that the country had witnessed significant reduction of crimes across the nation.
According to him, “since your appointment as the Inspector General of Police, we have observed that there is drastic reduction in the activities of the criminals in the recent times”.
He stressed that the enviable efforts of the IG, ”as dogged, patriotic and committed crime buster is laudable.
“We laud your achievements. So far, so good in tackling various security challenges confronting the nation”.
He prayed that very soon, normalcy would return to the country through police dedication to duty and unbiased operational strategies nationwide.
“We wish to commend the Nigeria Police under your watch for the dedication, commitment and complementary role to the civil authority at the centre in the fight against electoral fraud, insurgency, kidnapping, terrorism, cattle rustling, communal clashes as well as our silent enemy which is corrupting and indiscipline,” he said
The cleric, however, noted that the maintenance of peace and orderliness in the society was never an essay task anywhere in the world.
He prayed to Almighty Allah to give the police leadership sound health, wisdom and knowledge to ensure that law abiding Nigerians went about their lawful businesses peacefully.
The Chief Imam commended President Muhamnadu Buhari for reposing confidence in the police leadership and enjoined him to do more in tackling the menace of robbery, kidnapping and cattle rustling, and cases of rape.
He assured Nigerians that the over 7,000 other Imams in Niger would continue to sustain their prayers for President Buhari, the Federal Government, the IG and members of the Armed Forces for peace and unity to rein in the country.
Responding, Idris thanked the forum for the visit and assured the members that he would live above board, and ensure adequate protection of lives and properties of Nigerians across the country.
The police boss also promised that he would give priority attention to community policing, to provide adequate security to Nigerians.
Idris, however, appealed to adherents of the major religions in the country to pray fervent for President Buhari and God to assist security agents to overcome some of the security challenges bedeviling the nation.
The visit was witnessed by Dr Yakubu Alhassan, the Chief Imam of Force Headquarters, Abuja.(NAN)
BAB/IA