I Am Ready To Dialogue With Bandits If … Sheikh Gumi

A renowned Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, has said if contacted, he would lead a holistic dialogue between the federal government and bandits for the release of all kidnapped Nigerians.

In an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP last night in Kaduna, Sheikh Gumi described as unfortunate the Kaduna State government’s stand against negotiating with the bandits over the abduction of 287 school children of Kuriga Government Secondary and LEA Primary Schools in Chikun local government area.

Almost five days after the mass abduction of Kuriga school children, the government is yet to secure their release.

However, Sheikh Gumi advised the government to use the same approach it used in securing the release of Abuja-Kaduna-bound train passengers who were kidnapped on their way to Kaduna on March 28, 2022.

He also called on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to follow the footsteps of former President Muhammadu Buhari who refused to dialogue with bandits.

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Gumi said, “The government’s stand of no negotiation with the bandits is an unfortunate position. My advice is that the government should dialogue with the bandits not only for these Kuriga school children abduction but all the cases.

“Also, the government should use the same approach it used in releasing passengers that were abducted on Abuja – Kaduna train in 2022 to release the Kuriga school children and others,” he said.

When asked if he can lead the negotiation between the government and bandits if consulted, Gumi said, ”I am ready to lead a holistic dialogue between the government and bandits. It is a religious duty for me to do so for peace. I hope the present government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will listen by dialoguing with the bandits because the past administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari refused to dialogue,” Gumi said.