The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that prominent Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has been summoned by security agencies for questioning regarding remarks he made concerning the activities of bandits in the country.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Monday, Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, emphasized that no individual is exempted from the law, and if found guilty, Gumi will face appropriate consequences.
Idris stated, “The security agencies are up and doing. Sheikh Gumi or any other person is not above the law. If his suggestions are constructive enough for the security agencies to take, they will take but if they think that he is also making some statements that appeared to be reckless, he will also be reprimanded.
“There is nobody that is above the law in this regard. And I am aware he has been a guest of security agencies to answer questions. When you make remarks that border on our national security, it is incumbent on the security agencies to dig further,” the minister stated.
The minister’s comments come amidst growing concerns over Gumi’s statements regarding bandits, particularly his attempts to negotiate with them for the release of abducted individuals.
Furthermore, Idris reiterated the government’s stance that no ransom was paid for the release of the 137 schoolchildren abducted from the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State on March 7, 2024.
The minister said, “President Bola Tinubu is determined to end this cycle of payment of ransom to kidnappers. The government believes that this continues to encourage these kidnappers, these criminal elements to perpetrate this act within the Nigerian nation and it is the official position of government as announced here last week that ransom will not be tolerated. Ransom will not be encouraged ransom will not be paid by the government.”
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State also affirmed that Gumi played no role in securing the release of the abducted pupils from Kuriga, despite the cleric’s offer to negotiate with the bandits.
Sani dismissed speculations suggesting that no ransom was paid for the children’s release, echoing the government’s position against ransom payments.
Gumi’s recent remarks challenging the authority of security agencies regarding the identification of terror financiers have further exacerbated tensions.
He questioned the legitimacy of a list released by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), which identified his associate, Kaduna-based publisher Tukur Mamu, and 14 others as terror sponsors.
