The Department of State Services, DSS, has been told to arrest the Kaduna-based Islamic Cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi over alleged affiliation with bandits.
The call which came from a civil society organization operating under the Coalition Of Peace In Nigeria (COPIN), accused Gumi as a person of interest due to his open affiliation with the terrorists posing threat on national security as well as his continuous requests to grant them amnesty.
The Statement reads thus:
“We have watched with keen interest the provocative tendencies of Sheikh Gumi, especially as they relate to the activities of bandits/terrorists operating within the the North West general area.
“We note,with concern,Gumi’s call for grant of amnesty to terrorists, who have killed and maimed thousands of urarmed civilians, including women and children.
“Of particular interest is the kidnap of over one hundred Abuja/Kaduna train passengers by the terrorists in April this year, many of whom are still being held under terrible conditions.
“As a peace advocacy group, we condemn all these evil acts perpetrated by the terror group, and other enemies of state operating under whatever name, as we insist that nobody, or group has the right to take arms against the State, regardless of their grievances.
“Consequently, we demand the immediate arrest and interrogation of Gumi who, by now, should be a person of interest to all intelligence and law enforcement agencies.
“We will not hesitate to mobilise for peaceful protests in strategic cities, including Abuja, if the DSS fail to invite the Islamic Cleric for interview on all he knows about bandits/terrorists holding the North West states, and parts of North Central, to ransom.
“Finally, we wish to commend the DSS over the way and manner they have continued to handle Gumi’s spokesman and negotiator, Tukur Mamu, since he was returned to the country from Cairo, Egypt, last week.
“We say the decision to approach a Federal High Court in Abuja for permission to hold him for a certain period, pending conclusion of investigation, shows that the DSS is a law-abiding agency”.
The statement was jointly signed by the National Coordinator, Pharmacist Emeka Akwuobi, and National Secretary, Hajiya Fatih Yakub.
Credit: Vanguard News.
