By Gideon Njoku
A thoroughly exasperated President Muhammadu Buhari has countered the stand of Sheikh Abubakar Gumi, the Islamic Scholar who has, more than the Federal Government, shown interest in the activities of Bandits. Many Nigerians now say he has become their Ambassador-at-Large.
Gumi, a medical doctor-turned Islamic Scholar has, in the past few months, been going from forest to forest, as soon as bandits carry out their atrocious activities – kidnapping students. He says he goes to preach to them on the need to turn away from their activities. He says he goes to preach peace.
In fairness to him, he has helped in the release of abducted students in recent times. He and the Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Muhammad Matawelle helped in releasing the hundreds of Katsina State students, who were embarrassingly kidnapped while President Muhammadu Buhari was on a visit to the State, which happens to be the President’s State of origin.
He has also helped in Zamfara State to release such abductees.
But in recent times, his peace missions to the bandits in the forest have come under fire. Many Nigerians are wondering how he is able to easily locate the bandits and hold peace talks with them when the Federal Government and its troops are unable to locate them. And gradually, Gumi has become talkative.
He compares killer bandits who kidnap students in their hundreds, kill and maim innocent Nigerians, to South-south militants, OPC, and IPOB members.
He is asking for amnesty for all killer bandits. He says the bandits are no criminals. He said Nigerians should pamper them. And hug them.
But Buhari, thoroughly embarrassed by the atrocious activities of the bandits has sharply disagreed with Gumi.
At a security conference in Katsina, on Thursday, where he was represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Ibrahim Gambari, which was attended by Service Chiefs, the DG of DSS, and the IGP, Buhari dismissed the bandits as criminals. He said they are criminal elements who should be treated for who they are, and for what they represent. He said his Government will never grant them amnesty.
Now, not a few people are wondering about the effectiveness of Gumi’s peace mission in the forests. Till date, his assurances notwithstanding, the 27 students and 15 students, abducted from Niger State, have not been released.
On Friday, February 26, bandits dared him, the Zamfara and Federal Governments again. They adopted over 300 female students from a Zamfara Secondary School.
Gumi told a reporter that the bandits who abducted the students were not part of those he discussed with, but added: “I may go to Zamfara to talk to the bandits.”
