I am Prepared To Engage In Dialogue With The Bandits – Sheikh Gumi

Kaduna based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has expressed willingness to facilitate comprehensive discussions between the federal government and bandits in order to secure the freedom of all abducted Nigerians.

Sheikh Gumi expressed his concern over the decision of the Kaduna State government to refuse negotiations with the bandits involved in the abduction of 287 school children from Kuriga Government Secondary and LEA Primary Schools in Chikun local government area, deeming it regrettable.

Nearly five days have passed since the group kidnapping of the students from Kuriga school, and the government has not yet managed to secure their freedom.

But Sheikh Gumi suggested that the government adopt the same method it used to rescue the Abuja-Kaduna train passengers who were kidnapped on March 28, 2022, as they were traveling to Kaduna.

He also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration not to repeat the mistake made by former President Muhammadu Buhari, who refused to engage in discussions with bandits.

Gumi said, “The government’s stand of no negotiation with the ban- dits is an unfortunate position. My advice is that the government should di- alogue 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,”

“I am ready to lead a holistic dialogue be- tween 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 do”.