KANO: One of Nigeria’s most powerful Muslim leaders, the emir of Kano, has voiced support for vigilantes fighting Boko Haram, urging others to form civilian militias and questioning the competence of the military.

The comments were made by Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who became emir earlier this year after being sacked from his post as the central bank governor, where he was one of the government’s most high-profile critics.

It is extremely rare for Nigeria’s clerics to speak explicitly about political and military affairs, but many expected Mr Sanusi to defy convention and inject himself into public debate after assuming the highly influential post.

“People should be sensitised on the importance of being on the alert. And they should prepare, they should acquire what they will defend themselves with,” he said during Friday prayers at the central mosque in Kano, the largest city in Nigeria’s mainly Muslim north, according to a copy of the transcript of the recording obtained by AFP on Monday.

While Mr Sanusi did not mention Boko Haram by name, it was clear he was discussing efforts to resist the extremist rebels.

“Those that are endowed as hunters and vigilantes should apply this endowment given to them by Allah as an avenue of earning divine reward in defending their nation,” he said.

Nigeria’s military has been cooperating with various vigilante forces in the northeast for more than a year, often relying on civilians to do the bulk of the fighting against the insurgents.

Witnesses said it was vigilantes who recaptured the symbolically important northeast town of Chibok from Boko Haram at the weekend, with troops staying clear of the heavy fighting.

Chibok was where the militants kidnapped 276 schoolgirls in April, of whom 57 have escaped.

Published in Dawn, November 18th , 2014