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Sheikh Gumi says he is not a negotiator for bandits
By Modupe Shodeinde
Kaduna State-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Abubakar Gumi, has insisted that he does not negotiate for bandits.
Gumi said this when he received Shehu Sani, the Senator who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th Assembly.
Sani had visited the cleric to urge him not to relent or be discouraged by his critics in his effort to restore peace in the country.
He also appealed to him to help in obtaining the freedom of the 39 students of federal forestry college and members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) held by kidnappers.
Gumi, however, said arrangements were ongoing to secure the release of the students who have spent three weeks in captivity, DailyTrust reports.
“As for the college students, we have done all we can do. I had a meeting with the parents of the kidnapped students sequel to their meeting with the government.
“I showed them what the problem is, and they went to visit the government. I am not a negotiator for bandits. We always ensured that government officials were present in our previous discussions with bandits in the forests before the Federal Government’s shoot at sight order.
“But, as for the college students, we are making arrangements for them through a contact to see how this problem can be solved.”
Last week, Gumi had told Daily Trust that the shoot-at-sight order was hindering the captives’ rescue.
President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered security operatives to gun down those carrying arms illegally in the forest.
The Kaduna students’ abductors had made a demand of N500 million, but the Kaduna government has vowed not to negotiate with kidnappers.
