The President Bola Tinubu-led government announced on Monday that Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has been invited for questioning regarding his remarks on the activities of bandits in the country. Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and Orientation, made this disclosure while addressing journalists at the State House, Abuja.
Idris emphasized that Gumi is not exempt from the law, asserting that the government has deemed it necessary to summon him for questioning. This move comes in the wake of Gumi’s controversial comments regarding the Federal Government’s approach to combating banditry.
Gumi had criticized the government’s reliance on forceful or kinetic methods to secure the release of kidnapping victims. He advocated for a more nuanced approach, suggesting that the government engage directly with the bandits to address the root causes of their activities and improve their living conditions.
In his remarks, Gumi expressed concern that the use of force has exacerbated the situation, leading to an escalation in the bandits’ violence, including the targeting of softer civilian targets such as children. He called for a reconsideration of the government’s strategy, advocating for a more intelligence-based and non-kinetic approach to tackling the banditry menace.
“These bandits are getting more vicious… The high-handed approach to the matter is what is making it worse,” Gumi remarked during a recent interview. He urged authorities to prioritize understanding and engaging with the bandits to address the underlying issues fueling their criminal activities.
The invitation extended to Gumi by the government underscores the significance of addressing the challenges posed by banditry in Nigeria and the need for dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders to find lasting solutions.
