Alleged ties to bandits: Group seeks Gumi’s arrest

The civil society group, Rising-Up for a United Nigeria (RUN), has called for the immediate profiling and arrest of Sheikh Abubakar Gumi, a Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, by the Department of State Security (DSS) for his apparent connections with terrorist groups.

In a statement on Sunday, the group emphasized that Sheikh Gumi’s consistent defense of bandits and terrorists, coupled with his willingness to negotiate on their behalf, challenges the rule of law and compromises national security.

The statement, signed by Amb. Solomon Adodo and Mallam Suleiman Musa, the Convener and Secretary of RUN respectively, expressed grave concerns over the cleric’s actions and rhetoric.

It partly reads, “It is alarming that Sheikh Gumi only raises his voice in favor of these bandits whenever they commit their heinous acts. His interactions suggest he’s not just a sympathizer but a significant participant in their operations.

“His defiance and offer to act as an intermediary for terrorists, especially after the abduction of over 280 schoolchildren from Kuriga, shows his true colors. This type of behavior cannot be tolerated under the new administration.”

The group went further to criticize Gumi’s recent comments comparing the Niger Delta situation to the North’s banditry crisis, where he suggested that bandits should be offered similar deals to those given to Niger Delta militants to secure pipelines.

RUN described these statements as tantamount to declaring war on the Nigerian state.

“There’s a thin line between negotiation and complicity. If Gumi is suggesting we reward criminal behavior with contracts, what message are we sending to the law-abiding citizens of Nigeria?” the group queried.

RUN’s call also extended to the Defense Headquarters, urging them to preserve the nation’s territorial integrity by considering Gumi’s arrest.

“We implore the Chief of Defense Staff to focus on Gumi, perhaps even listing him among wanted persons. His arrest is crucial to determine the full extent of his involvement with these criminals, particularly in Kaduna,” the statement conveyed.

The group feared that inaction could undermine the efforts of the security forces and erode public trust, especially in regions ravaged by kidnappings and banditry for over a decade.