Sultan urges Nigerians to fight against fear of scourge

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, and members of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) have expressed concern over the alarming spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and the fear the disease has generated in Nigeria.

Consequently, the Sultan said because of the disturbing situation in the country caused by the disease, the JNI was on a high level consultation with senior Muslim scholars on the next step to be taken.

Abubakar, who is also the President General of JNI, in a statement signed by the Secretary of the Islamic body in the north, Sheikh Khalid Abubakar Aliyu, warned that under the prevailing situation in Nigeria: “It is not right for people to be spreading fake news all over the place on the worrisome life-threatening scourge baselessly.

“It is also inhuman and immoral, creating unnecessary panic, which in the end causes more harm than the real virus. Nigerians are already put into serious stress more than they can bear in stocking food, coping with social isolation, closure of schools and banning of meetings.

“Government should direct all relevant agencies in redoubling their efforts and providing the necessary medical equipment and facilities needed to tackle this menace to save the citizenry from this dangerous virus.

“This trying time calls for introspection and sober reflection for humanity to appreciate the greatness of Allah (SWT), His Might and Power, in testing humanity with the weakest creature of the simple air we breathe and can’t catch or reverse it.