The civil society organization, Rising-Up for a United Nigeria (RUN), has issued a call against Sheikh Gumi, a prominent Islamic cleric based in Kaduna, asking the Department of State Security (DSS) to take immediate action over his alleged affiliations with terrorist groups.
In a press statement released on Sunday, RUN accused Sheikh Abubakar Gumi of consistently advocating for bandits and terrorists, which they argued poses a significant threat to national security and undermines the rule of law.
According to the statement, signed by Ambassador Solomon Adodo and Mallam Suleiman Musa, RUN’s Convener and Secretary respectively, Sheikh Gumi’s actions and rhetoric are deeply concerning.
“Sheikh Gumi only seems to defend these bandits following their heinous crimes. His engagement with them indicates a deeper involvement than mere sympathy,” the statement highlighted.
The group also criticized Sheikh Gumi for his controversial comparison of the Niger Delta militants’ situation to the banditry crisis in the North, suggesting that bandits be offered similar amnesty deals. RUN regards such comparisons and suggestions as a direct affront to the Nigerian state, questioning the message it sends to law-abiding citizens.
Related Posts
- NEF Supports Sheikh Gumi’s Call for Dialogue with Bandits
- Numerous Lives Lost as Bandits Attack Nine Benue Communities
- Again, Bandits Abduct 87 People in Kaduna State
Furthermore, RUN has urged the Defense Headquarters to consider Sheikh Gumi’s arrest in order to preserve Nigeria’s territorial integrity, suggesting that his activities might be more aligned with coordinating bandit operations than previously thought.
“Listing Sheikh Gumi among wanted persons and determining the full extent of his involvement with criminal elements, especially in Kaduna, is imperative,” the organization stated.
The call for Sheikh Gumi’s arrest underscores the gravity of the situation and the potential risk his alleged connections pose to the country’s security. RUN fears that without decisive action, the security forces’ efforts could be undermined, and public trust, particularly in areas affected by kidnappings and banditry for over a decade, could be severely eroded.
