The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on Monday condemned the explosions in Zaria and Kaduna and the reprisals in parts of Kaduna State on Sunday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that three bombs exploded in two churches in Zaria and a church at Tirkania area of Kaduna South Local Government Area.
Several lives and property were lost in the explosions and the reprisal attacks.
Reacting to the development in Kaduna, the Secretary-General of the JNI, Dr Khalid Aliyu, told NAN that it was unfortunate that violent attacks had continued unabated in the North.
Aliyu urged the Federal Government to punish all those perpetrating the violence to serve as a deterrent to others whose activities were threatening the corporate existence and development of the country.
“Severe sanctions and punitive measures would help check the spate of attacks, prevent further loss of lives and property and stabilise the polity,’’ he said.
He also urged the Federal Government and the Kaduna State Government to be more proactive in putting an end to such bomb attacks.
“JNI notes with bewilderment the usual way serious security issues are being cajoled with at the expense of our state.
“The Muslim leadership wishes to assure the government and the good people of Nigeria that it is working seriously and ready to cooperate with whoever wants to work for harmonious corporate existence of Nigeria.
“It is our fervent du'a (prayer) that religious, political and traditional leaders at all levels will come together and salvage our dear nation from corruption, greed and maladministration.
“It is also hoped that reprisal attacks and provocative statements that are capable of overheating the polity will be avoided by all and sundry.''
Similarly, the ACF has called for an immediate halt to the killing of innocent citizens in the country under whatever guise.
Mr Anthony Sani, the National Publicity Secretary of the organisation, also told NAN in Kaduna on Monday that the reported bombings were received as a big surprise.
“This is coming in the wake of an offer of constructive engagement or dialogue by the Federal Government.
“The dialogue is at the instance of well-meaning Nigerians including elders of the North-East geopolitical zone, who held a meeting in Bauchi last week.''
Sani said that it was still the position of the ACF that whatever the grievances, it should not be used as a justification for taking the lives of innocent people who were totally unaware of the problem.
“More so that there is no religion which allows its adherents to kill innocent fellow human beings. In fact, all religions preach peace and love,’’ he said.
He renewed the forum's appeal to the perpetrators to stop such acts and embrace dialogue as the only way of addressing any perceived grievance.
Sani also called on all aggrieved persons to stop taking the laws into their hands by way of reprisal attacks.
?“Any such reprisals would be misdirected at yet another set of innocent Nigerians who might have no links with the bombers.''
The secretary commiserated with those who lost their loved ones and properties in the attacks.