Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has offered to facilitate discussions between the Federal Government and bandits to secure the release of abducted Nigerians.
Expressing his willingness to assist, Sheikh Gumi urged the administration of President Bola Tinubu not to repeat the mistake of the former President, Muhammadu Buhari, who refused to engage in dialogue with bandits.
His remarks came after the Kaduna State government declined negotiations with the bandits responsible for the abduction of 287 school children from Kuriga Government Secondary and LEA Primary Schools in Chikun Local Government Area.
Sheikh Gumi stated, “The government’s stand of no negotiation with the bandits is an unfortunate position. My advice is that the government should dialogue 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.”
Sheikh Gumi expressed hope that the current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would consider engaging in dialogue with the bandits, contrasting it with the past administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, which declined such discussions.
