You’re Cowards for Bombing Innocent Citizens - Borno elders tells Boko Haram

Against the backdrop of increasing wave of

bombings during congregational prayers in mosques across Borno State, the Secretary, Borno Elders Forum (BEF), Alhaji Bulami Gubio, on Friday, described members of the Islamist sect, Boko Haram, as cowards who don’t have the guts to face the military in bushes, but have taken to bombing innocent citizens praying in mosques.

Gubio, however, enjoined residents to form Mosque guards to address the spate of bombings in mosques across the state.

He said: “It is sad that the Boko Haram fighters have continued to unleash terror on Muslim worshipers in the state.

“Residents must stand up and protect themselves by forming Mosque Guards in all areas to halt this madness,’’ he said.

Gubio made reference to Islamic history, where the Holy Prophet Muhammad was said to have instructed the formation of Mosque Guards to prevent Muslims from attacks during the early stage of the religion.

“In the early stage of Islam, Mosque Guards were used to protect worshippers from aggression from Idol worshipers. I think we must copy from that by ensuring safety in our mosques,’’ he said.

The secretary described the bombing of mosque as cowardice, and said: “the Boko Haram sect members are cowards.

“Instead of facing the military in the bush, they decided to bomb innocent people praying in mosques.’’

Gubio said the renewed mosque attacks had shown that the insurgents had nothing to do with Islam.

“It is now clear that they are anti-Islam, they are only pretending to be Muslims, when their mission is to give the religion a bad name,’’ he said.

Gubio expressed optimism that the insurgency would end in a matter of time, and urged Nigerians to continue to pray for a quick end to the attack.