The Coalition for Peace in Nigeria (COPIN) has called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to arrest a Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, for alleged involvement with bandits/terrorists as a matter of urgent national concern.
According to COPIN, Gumi should be considered a person of interest due to his open friendship with bandits and kidnappers who pose a threat to national security, as well as his constant push for the federal government to provide amnesty to terror elements.
Gumi has a lot of explanations to make on the activities of bandits, especially those operating in the North West general area, according to a statement signed by the National Coordinator, Pharmacist Emeka Akwuobi, and Hajiya Fatih Yakub National Secretary.
While praising the secret service for the professional manner in which it managed the arrest of an acclaimed kidnapped Abuja/Kaduna train passengers’ negotiator, Tukur Mamu, the group demanded on the Islamic scholar’s swift arrest, interrogation, and prosecution.
“This is especially true given that Mamu, the bandits’ negotiator, is the unquestionable mouthpiece for the influential Kaduna-based Islamic cleric,” COPIN said in a statement.
The group also stated that apprehending Gumi is critical to a peaceful election because he will supply the Service with credible/actionable intelligence on the actual locations and modes of operation of the terrorists, culminating in their arrest.
If the intelligence agency does not invite Gumi for an interview, the organization has threatened to stage a peaceful protest in Abuja and other locations.
“We have watched with keen interest Sheikh Gumi’s provocative tendencies, particularly as they pertain to the activities of bandits/terrorists operating in the North West general area,” the statement says in full.
“We take notice with alarm of Gumi’s proposal for terrorists to be granted amnesty, despite the fact that they have killed and injured thousands of unarmed civilians, including women and children.”
“Of special note is the terrorist kidnapping of over a hundred Abuja/Kaduna train passengers in April of this year, many of whom are still being kept in deplorable conditions.”
“As a peace advocacy group, we condemn all of these horrible deeds committed by the terror group and other enemies of the state operating under whatever guise, as we insist that no person or group, regardless of their grievances, has the right to take arms against the State.”
“As a result, we demand Gumi’s immediate arrest and interrogation, as he should now be of interest to all intelligence and law enforcement organizations.”
“If the DSS does not invite the Islamic Cleric for an interview on what he knows about bandits/terrorists holding the North West states and parts of North Central to ransom, we would not hesitate to mobilize for peaceful protests in major towns, including Abuja.”
“Finally, we would want to applaud the DSS for the way they have handled Gumi’s spokesman and negotiator, Tukur Mamu, since his return to the country from Cairo, Egypt, last week.”
“We believe the DSS’s choice to ask a Federal High Court in Abuja for authorization to retain him for a period of time pending the conclusion of the inquiry demonstrates that it is a law-abiding agency.”
