Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a controversial Islamic scholar, has stated that he is willing to mediate in-depth talks between the Federal Government and bandits to obtain the release of kidnapped Nigerians.
Sheikh Gumi pleaded with President Bola Tinubu’s team not to make the same error as former President Muhammadu Buhari, who turned down offers of negotiation from robbers.
His response came in response to the Kaduna State government’s rejection to engage in talks with the bandits who kidnapped 287 students from Kuriga Government Secondary and LEA Primary Schools in the Chikun Local Government Area.
Around 280 pupils from Kuriga Primary School were kidnapped by bandits last week, according to the administration.
Gumi responded by saying in a statement: “It is a regrettable position for the administration to take that it will not negotiate with the robbers. My recommendation is that the authorities hold talks with the bandits over all cases, not just the kidnapping of these Kuriga schoolchildren.
In order to free the Kuriga schoolchildren and others, the government could also adopt the same strategy that it employed to free the passengers who were kidnapped on the Abuja-Kaduna train in 2022.
“I am prepared to facilitate a comprehensive discussion between the bandits and the administration. I have a religious obligation to act in favor of peace.
“I hope President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s current administration will listen and engage in dialogue with the bandits, as President Muhammadu Buhari’s previous administration did not.”