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Sheikh Gumi exhorts Tinubu to speak with bandits alongside him.
Sheikh Gumi exhorts Tinubu to speak with bandits alongside him.
Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a controversial Islamic scholar, has recently made headlines by offering to facilitate dialogue between the Federal Government and bandits in order to secure the release of abducted Nigerians. Sheikh Gumi urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration in a statement not to make the same error as former President Muhammadu Buhari, who turned down offers of negotiation with bandits.
The issue at hand arose following the abduction of 287 schoolchildren from Kuriga Government Secondary and LEA Primary Schools in Chikun Local Government Area. This incident, along with the recent abduction of over 280 students from Kuriga primary school, has once again highlighted the urgent need for a resolution to the ongoing security challenges in the country.
Sheikh Gumi’s call for dialogue with the bandits is based on the belief that negotiation is a crucial step towards achieving peace and securing the release of the abducted individuals. He emphasized that the government should adopt a similar approach to the one used in the past to release passengers abducted on the Abuja-Kaduna train in 2022.
As a religious duty, Sheikh Gumi expressed his readiness to lead comprehensive discussions between the government and the bandits. He stressed the importance of dialogue in addressing not only the Kuriga school children‘s abduction but also all other similar cases. Sheikh Gumi’s plea for dialogue is rooted in the belief that peaceful resolution is essential for the well-being of all involved.
In his statement, Sheikh Gumi also expressed hope that the current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would heed his advice and engage in dialogue with the bandits. He highlighted the importance of learning from past mistakes and emphasized the crucial role that dialogue plays in resolving conflicts and promoting peace.
Overall, Sheikh Gumi’s call for dialogue with bandits serves as a reminder of the importance of peaceful resolution in addressing security challenges in Nigeria. As the country continues to grapple with the issue of banditry and abduction, it is imperative for all stakeholders to come together and work towards finding lasting solutions through constructive dialogue and engagement.
