Sequel to the rising cases of banditry especially in Northern Nigeria, the federal government has taken a firm stance regarding the controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, saying he is not above the law.
Thus, the security agencies have already invited him for questioning over his utterances and stance on the matter.
The minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this to State House correspondents on Monday after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Following statements made by Sheikh Gumi in relation to the abduction of over 280 pupils and teachers in Kaduna State, the minister said the government has deemed it necessary to invite him for questioning.
Gumi’s offer to negotiate with the terrorists responsible for the abductions had raised concerns, with Nigerians questioning why he had not been invited for interrogation.
The minister highlighted that Gumi is not above the law and must be held accountable for his actions and statements.
The minister said, “Government will stop at nothing to get any kind of information that is required to solve our problems; the security agencies are up and doing.
“Sheikh Gumi, or any other individual, is not above the law. If he has suggestions that are good enough and that are constructive enough for the security agencies to take, they will take but if they think that he is also making some statements that appear to be reckless, he will also be reprimanded.
“There is nobody that is above the law. Let me put it here. And I’m aware that he has also been a guest of security agencies to answer questions.
“When you make remarks, especially remarks that border on our national security, it is incumbent on our national security to think further and they are doing just that; no one is above the law.”
Federal government has reiterated that no ransom was paid to free the recently kidnapped students from Kuriga in Kaduna State.
“As promised by Mr. President, they have been rescued. No ransom was paid,” Idris stated. President Tinubu had recently vowed that the federal government would not pay any ransom to secure the release of abducted victims.
The information minister expressed President Tinubu’s gratitude to the National Security Adviser, Service Chiefs, and all those who played crucial roles in securing the students’ release.
The minister further revealed that the President had charged security agencies to intensify efforts to halt the menace of kidnapping across the country.
He said, “Mr President and members of council were happy to note that as promised by Mr. President, these children were reunited or had been rescued from these captors and, as usual and in keeping with the commitment of Mr. President, no ransom was paid.
“Government is determined to ensure that the lives and property of all Nigerians are protected at all times and Mr. President has also charged security agencies to ensure that these kidnappings are brought to a halt finally in this country.
“Indeed, all those who are participating in this criminal act will be fished out by the security agencies and will never go unpunished.
“The President has also charged security agencies to make sure kidnappings are brought to a halt, and all the perpetrators of kidnapping will be fished out and punished,” Idris stated.
On the controversy concerning the correct number of abducted Kuriga pupils, school authorities had told the state government that a total of 287 students were kidnapped when motorcycle-riding gunmen invaded the remote Kuriga school on March 7.
However, Kaduna state governor, Uba Sani, told local media late Sunday that only 137 school children had been abducted during the attack.
Addressing doubts on the number of children kidnapped and released, the minister said: “On reports that 287 of these children were taken in, what I can tell you is that there is no report that any of these kidnap victims either died or has been withheld.
“So those that have been taken have been brought back safely to their families. I can tell you that.“
Army Hands 131 Schoolchildren Over To Gov Sani, 6 Pupils Hospitalised
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has handed over 131 rescued schoolchildren of Kuriga LEA and Government Secondary Schools to Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani.
He, however, disclosed that six of them were hospitalised in Kaduna for medical treatment.
The Army did not disclose the nature of the ailments the schoolchildren were being treated at a military hospital.
Speaking during the handing over of rescued Kuriga schoolchildren to Kaduna state governor, Uba Sani at Government House, Kaduna, General Officer Commanding 1 Division of the Nigerian Army/Force Commander, Operation WHIRL Punch, Maj. Gen. Mayirenso Lander, said no ransom was paid for their released.
He explained that schoolchildren were initially administered first aid at the Nigerian Army Troops Forward Operating Base Dandadau, in Zamfara State, after they were rescued.
“In all, there were 137 children and one staff member, making it 138 persons altogether, that were abducted from the co-located schools on the ill-fated day.
“But unfortunately, the staff member, Mr Abubakar, is not here with us today because he died while in captivity.”
The GOC revealed that the school children were successfully rescued from captivity around Dansadau Forest in Zamfara State and safely brought back to Kaduna.
“The breakdown of the figure of the rescued children shows that there are 76 females and 61 males, making the total of 137 altogether (less the teacher that died while in captivity),” he said.
In his remarks after receiving the rescued schoolchildren, Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani, cautioned against politicising insecurity in the country and Kaduna in particular.
Governor Sani said the schoolchildren will soon be reunited with their parents and family members after undergoing therapy.
“We should not politicise the issue of insecurity in Nigeria, any attempt to continue to undermine the efforts of security agencies in Nigeria in the name of politics will jeopardise the lives and property of our innocent citizens” the governor warned.
However, the rescued schoolchildren arrived at the Government House amidst tight security at 2:09pm on Monday in three long Coaster buses and two mini buses from 1 Division Nigerian Army Headquarters, Kaduna.
The children were received by Governor Uba Sani along with his deputy, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, and other top government functionaries.
ACF Calls For Proactive Measures
The apex northern sociocultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called on the federal government to take measures to prevent the cases of kidnapping in the country.
It said it received the news about the release of the students abducted from schools at Kuriga, Kaduna State, Tsangaya school children abducted in Gada Local Government Area, Sokoto State, and some of the long-held students of Federal University Gusau (FUGUS) with gladness.
ACF said although details of the process that led to the release of the students are unavailable, understandably for security reasons, the development hopefully signals a new dawn in anti-terrorism measures being applied by the government.
According to a statement issued by the national publicity secretary of the forum, Prof. T. A. Muhammad-Baba, this is as should be, as many had indeed been stridently calling for such an approach to stamping out for good the menace of terrorism and banditry that are existential threats to communities in Nigeria.
“ACF joins all to extend kudos to the Federal Government and its security agencies, HE Senator Sani and KDSG, members of the local communities involved and indeed any and every one that directly and indirectly contributed to this happy denouement to the horrific nightmare scenario. ACF also rejoices with the students, their parents and guardians.
“Going forward, ACF calls for strengthening this new anti-terrorism multi-stakeholder, multi-pronged strategy, involving all those with direct and indirect responsibilities for securing peoples and communities and, ultimately, Nigeria,” he said.
