Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, the Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, has been invited by the Federal Government of Nigeria for questioning over his comments on the activities of bandits in the country.
Grassroots Parrot recalls that the cleric had offered to dialogue with bandits who abducted scores of schoolchildren from Kuriga Government Secondary and LEA Primary Schools in the Chikun Local Government Area of the state.
The abducted Kaduna children were released on Sunday, while the FG claimed that no ransom was paid for their release.
Gumi had insisted that President Bola Tinubu must not repeat the mistake made by former President Muhammadu Buhari, who refused to dialogue with bandits.
It could also be recalled that Gumi had previously negotiated on behalf of state governments to free abducted persons.
But while addressing journalists at the State House, Abuja on Monday, Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and Orientation, confirmed that the government has deemed it necessary to invite the cleric for questioning.
Idris said Gumi is not above the law. “Sheikh Gumi and any other individual are not above the law; if he has suggestions that are good enough and that are constructive enough for the security agencies to take, they will take.
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“But if they think that he is also making some statements that appear to be reckless, he will also be reprimanded.
“There is nobody above the law. Let me put it here. And I’m aware that he has also been a guest of security agencies to answer questions.
“When you make remarks, especially those that border on our national security it is incumbent on our national security to think further, and they are doing just that, no one is above the law,” he added.
Idris after the Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, also insisted that no ransom was paid in securing the release of the schoolchildren. “In keeping with the commitment of Mr President, no ransom was paid”.
The Minister added that President Tinubu appreciated the role of the security services in the safe return of the abductees. He also vowed that all those involved in the abduction would be fished out and punished.
“The government will stop at nothing to get any kind of information that is required to solve our problems. The security agencies are up and doing. He said.