Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has alleged that Nigerian security agencies know the hideouts of bandits in the forests in the North.
Gumi disclosed this while speaking on a radio programme in Kaduna recently. He challenged security agencies to debunk the allegations as many of them had gone with him to the bandits’ hideouts during negotiations to release victims during the regime of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
When asked if security forces know where the bandits have their hideouts, Gumi said: “I don’t think the security agents are truthful with Nigerians. When I go, I go with them (bandits), I don’t go alone.”
Gumi insisted that the bandits are mainly herdsmen and said most of them are largely Nigerians with some foreigners who are fighting back from a position of marginalization.
Also, Gumi portrayed the bandits as marginalized citizens deprived of basic social services like water, education and infrastructure.
On the abducted 287 students from Kuriga Government Secondary and LEA Primary Schools in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna who were kidnapped by bandits on March 7, Gumi reiterated his call for government to negotiate with the bandits for the freedom of the victims.
He added that negotiation would lead to a safe return of the captives without the involvement of financial transactions, hinting at potential prisoner swaps.
