The mindless execution of some Nigerian members of the Tijanniyya sect of Islam has drawn the ire of President Muhammadu Buhari, who expressed his condolences and prayed for the safety of other Nigerians stranded there.
Recall that the National Secretary of of the adherents of Tijaniyya, Sayyidi Muhammad AlQasim Yahaya, told journalists in Abuja how 16 of the adherents were singled out and shot dead by Burkinabe soldiers.
According to him, adherents regularly pay visit to the home-country of their leader, Sheikhul-Islam Alhaji Ibrahim Niasse Al-Kaulahee, for meetings and Maulid celebrations.
“During such movements, convoys of vehicles from Nigeria used to travel through international borders to Kaolack, Senegal, traversing countries such as Niger, Burkina-Faso, and Mali,” Yahaya said.
On their way from Nigeria, they were stopped in their convoy of luxurious and mini-buses, by the Burkinabe Army on patrol.
“They were randomly selected without any questioning and cold-bloodedly shot to death in a most horrendous display of bestiality.
“The current number of casualties is 16 dead, while some vehicles and their occupants are yet to be accounted for.
“Deriving from the above, we hearken to urgently draw the attention of the Nigerian Government, the United Nations, and genuine human rights organisations to, as a matter of responsibility, wade into this matter and ensure that the rights of the victims of this massacre are upheld and the blood-thirsty culprits are immediately brought to book.
“All members and fellow Muslims are called upon to pray for the repose of the souls of the innocent victims.”
Presidential spokesman, Mr. Garba Shehu, disclosed in a statement that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Nigerian Embassy in Burkina Faso, “is engaging with the Burkinabe authorities and awaits the outcome of their investigation of the unfortunate incident, and if necessary, to ensure that all culprits are appropriately sanctioned.”
He adds that the federal government will make every effort to secure the mortal remains of the deceased and the survivors of the attack.