Ahmad Gumi, a Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, has alleged that the federal government is aware of the identities and locations of terrorists in Nigeria.
Gumi spoke in a recent interview where he was asked about his role in dialoguing with terrorists, and if the federal government lacked the technology or power to find them.
“The government knows every terrorist by name and location. I don’t go alone to negotiate. I go with the police, military, and other security agencies,” he said.
“I would go to the Emirs. In fact, when we went to one forest, I even went with women into the bush.”
The cleric also said he would support the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as well as Boko Haram terrorists and bandits operating in the country, if they are ready to lay down their arms.
He said the groups must be ready to come to a roundtable and negotiate with the Nigerian government to earn his support.
“Dialogue can bring peace and we are men of peace. Even IPOB, which wants secession, are ready to put down their arms, come to a round table to discuss, I’m ready and would support them. All we don’t want is violence,” he said.
Gumi further commented on the public’s perception of government actions, adding that people have mistrust in the Nigerian government.
“What they say is not what they do,” he said.
“Essentially, what we are saying is what is the way out of insecurity? There is a way out. Let’s bring intellectuals to speak. Let’s bring criminologists from prestigious institutions. Let us sit on one table and find the way out.
“What the experts are saying now is that in dealing with what we have in Nigeria, 75 per cent of the action should be non-kinetic because look at the road network — it is terribly bad, electricity is eratic and very expensive.
“Don’t talk about healthcare, anybody who has anything, even our rich men when sick with malaria flies abroad. Don’t talk about education.
“In this situation where nothing is working, is it pumping trillions on defence that should be priority or spending the money in bring amenities to the society. That would have a big impact.”
