Grace Omachoko
Controversial Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has offered to facilitate comprehensive discussions between the Federal Government and bandits in a bid to secure the release of abducted Nigerians.
Sheikh Gumi urged the administration of President Bola Tinubu not to repeat the mistake made by former President Muhammadu Buhari, who refused to engage in dialogue with bandits.
His statement comes in response to the Kaduna State government’s refusal to negotiate with the bandits responsible for the abduction of 287 school children from Kuriga Government Secondary and LEA Primary Schools in Chikun Local Government Area.
Recalled that Last week, bandits abducted over 280 students from Kuriga primary school, prompting Sheikh Gumi to call for dialogue between the government and the bandits involved in this and other cases.
He emphasized the need for a peaceful resolution and expressed his readiness to lead a holistic dialogue between the two parties.
Sheikh Gumi also suggested that the government adopt the same approach used in releasing passengers abducted on the Abuja-Kaduna train in 2022 to secure the release of the Kuriga school children and others.