ISLAMIC CLERIC, SHEIKH GUMI REFUTES CLAIMS OF NEGOTIATING FOR BANDITS

Popular Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has refuted claims that he negotiates with Government for bandits.

He stated that he does not negotiate for bandits, but his job is to help government identify the problem.

The cleric during his meeting on Monday with the former senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, in an effort to rescue the abducted 39 students of Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Mando, Kaduna State, and eight members of the Redeemed Church of God (RCCG), said that arrangements are ongoing “through a contact to see how the problem can be solved”.

In a similar development during his meeting with the parents of the kidnapped students, he clarified that his duty is to identify the problem and allow government officials to perform their work.

He said, “As for the college students, we have done all we can do. In fact, I had a meeting with the parents of the kidnapped students’ sequel to their meeting with the government. I showed them what the problem was and they went to visit the government and returned”.

Recall that on March 11, bandits invaded the school located at Mando, in Igabi Local Government Area, a few metres away from the Airforce training school and kidnapped 39 students from their dorms.

On Friday March 26, 8 RCCG members who were on their way to a programme were abducted around Kafachan, Kaduna State, by bandits.

The Islamic cleric who appreciated the lawmaker’s concern at fostering peace in the nation noted that he allows government officials to perform their duty by always ensuring that they were present in the forest during all their discussion. This was before the order by the Federal Government to shoot at sight was issued.

Sani urged Gumi not to be distraught by criticisms. He said, “I am one of the Nigerians passionate about bringing an end to insecurity in the country and I will not relent. I beg you not to retreat from whatever effort you are putting in place.

“We cannot also defeat people until we understand them and win some of them over.

“So do not be discouraged by words and lack of recognition.”

A mother whose child is in the hands of kidnappers will simply want their release at all costs.

“I call on you to use the privilege, the opportunity and power which God has personally endowed you with to help free the 39 Afaka forestry college students and the RCCG members in captivity”.

Credit: EONS Intelligence