Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has broken his silence after an invitation by the Department of State Services over his comments on the activities of bandits in the country.
According to him, the invitation was necessary, and he had a productive interaction with the security agents who queried him.
The Minister of Information and Orientation, Mohammed Idris, had confirmed that the 63 year old prominent Islamic cleric was invited for questioning while noting that no one was above the law.
He (Gumi) had offered to dialogue with bandits who abducted from Kuriga Government Secondary and LEA Primary Schools in the Chikun Local Government Area of the Kaduna State.
He urged President Bola Tinubu not to repeat the mistake made by former President Muhammadu Buhari, who he said refused to dialogue with bandits.
The abducted Kaduna children were released on Sunday, with the government saying no ransom was paid for their release.
Gumi, in a social media post titled, ‘Only one person is above the law: The Innocent!’ on Tuesday, wrote, “Last night, I got many frantic calls from well-wishers and journalists about a news item that I was interviewed by security. There is absolutely no cause for alarm.
“Yes, we had a productive interaction on how to curb banditry as we are all trying – each in his own sphere – to tackle the monster bedevilling the nation. There was no animosity but courtesy and full of respect.
“We all need as a nation to unite and work in synergy to achieve an everlasting peace. I thank you for your concern. May Allah continue to protect us all from all evil.”
Gumi, a retired Army captain and medical doctor, who is also the Grand Mufti of Kaduna Central Mosque, had previously negotiated on behalf of state governments to free abducted persons.
Last week, the Federal Government named his associate, Tukur Mamu, among persons linked with terrorism financing.
In his response, Gumi condemned the list saying only a court of competent jurisdiction can so tag his associates and others who appeared on the list as terrorism financiers.
