By Suleiman Anyalewechi
Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar has sued for calm among Kaduna residents, particularly supporters of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the detained former Governor of the State.
This is as he informed that he himself was not detained, but was only invited for questioning by the Department of State Service, DSS, after the visit of Peter Obi.
The Source reports that ,Obi the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party LP in the 2023 general elections had on Tuesday raised the alarm over the alleged arrest of Sheikh Umar on Sunday, after playing host to him.
” I have just been made aware early this morning that revered religious leader Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar has been arrested by the authorities shortly after hosting me in Kaduna on Sunday.
“This development underscores the deeply troubling state of our nation and our democracy, where freedom of speech and movement is increasingly threatened ,and where citizens and perceived political opponents face harassment and unnecessary persecutions . This cannot be allowed to continue”, Obi stated on his official site.
But in a video message online, Tuesday afternoon, Sheikh Umar stated that he is free ,safe and well after interfacing with the DSS.
According to him, he was neither detained, nor maltreated, noting that his engagement with the service was to clarify some issues.
” I come today to correct a false report being circulated in some quarters to the effect that I am in custody.
“I was not detained by the DSS. I was invited for questioning. I cooperated fully and I was released. I am free, safe and well”, Sheikh Umar stated.
He, however, urged his supporters and followers to keep the peace, remain calm and law abiding.
The prominent Islamic scholar, similarly, passionately appealed to the aggrieved supporters and followers of the detained former Governor of Kaduna state , El-Rufai, not to take the laws into their hands.
Rather, he urged all those who are not happy with the current state of affairs in the country to register and obtain their permanent voters cards, PVCs ,and use same at the appropriate time.
“I want to appeal to our supporters and all citizens of Kaduna State to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding.
“No one should take the laws into their hands. No one should disrupt the peace and stability of the state under any guise.
“On the issue of our leader – Malam Nasir El-Rufai, let us be patient, and allow due process to take its course.
“Let us continue to pray and let us keep the peace. To everyone dissatisfied with the system, your answer is very simple – register, vote and choose better leadership when the time comes”, Sheikh Umar admonished.
Sheikh Umar’s appeal comes just as a Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna on Tuesday adjourned till March 31, 2026, for a ruling on the bail application filed by El-Rufai in his ongoing prosecution by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, over alleged money laundering, diversion of public funds and abuse of office.
The Source reports that the anti-graft Commission, after detaining the former Kaduna state former Governor for over 30 days without trial, finally arraigned him on Tuesday, amidst protest by El-Rufai’s supporters.
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