Banditry: Again, FG invites Sheikh Gumi for questioning

The Federal Government has invited for questioning a Kaduna State-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, over his comments on the activities of bandits in the country.

The Minister of Information and Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known to the media in Abuja on Monday.

Idris, who spoke with State House Correspondents in the Federal Capital Territory, said Gumi was not above the law.

He said the Federal Government has deemed it necessary to invite him for questioning.

The invitation by the Federal Government to Gummi for questioning was not the first since Nigeria began to experience intense security challenge.

BAR & BENCH WATCH recalls that on Friday, June 25, 2021, the Department of State Service (DSS) during the regime of ex-President Muhammad Buhari had invited the Ahmad Gumi for interrogation due to how he relates with the bandits across Nigeria for peace making.

Ahmad Abubakar Gumi is an Islamic cleric, scholar and former military officer with the rank of captain in the Nigerian Army.

He is the current Mufti and mufassir at the Kaduna central mosque Sultan Bello.

Following widespread insecurities in the country, Ahmad Gumi had negotiated with kidnappers to get their captives released.

He had entered the jungle and forest reaching out to various bandits’ camps and hideouts.

For instance, he met kidnappers on the issue of Kagara students in Niger State.

He had also advised the Nigerian government to consider pardon for bandits willing to surrender their arms, arguing that “If the country could pardon coup plotters who committed treasonable offences in the era of military administration, the bandits can as well enjoy similar forgiveness even better under democratic rule.”