•No Cause For Alarm, Says Gumi After Questioning

THE Bishop of the Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Matthew Kukah, has urged the federal government to interrogate individuals with claims of having close ties with bandits.

His comment came even as Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, was invited and questioned by operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) over his longstanding comments on bandits’ activities.

Kukah also expressed worry over the spate of attacks on schools and kidnappings of students, especially in the northern parts of the country, saying such could have a psychological effect on the children and their education.

In a television programme, the clergyman wondered why the federal government has failed to investigate individuals claiming close ties with bandits, noting: “It is clear that the federal government at the highest level knows what is going on, at least the intelligence community has an idea.

“There are key Nigerians who are saying openly that they know more than they think the rest of us know, and I think it is the business of the federal government to find out those who claim to know where the bandits are, those who are collaborating with the bandits.”

Recall that following the attack and mass kidnapping of 137 schoolchildren in Kuriga, Kaduna State, who were released or rescued on Sunday, March 24.

On Monday, March 25, Gumi was invited for questioning over his comments on the activities of bandits in the country. But at the end of interrogation by security operatives, Gumi said there was no cause for alarm.

Gumi, who disclosed that he was treated with courtesy during the questioning, acknowledged that he was not above the law and that only the innocent should be above the law.

Gumi, in a statement, titled, ‘Only One Person is Above The Law: The Innocent,’wrote:  “Last night, I got many frantic calls from well-wishers and journalists about a news item that I was interviewed by security. There is absolutely no cause for alarm.

“Yes, we had a productive interaction on how to curb banditry as we are all trying, each in his own sphere, to tackle the monster bedeviling the nation. There was no animosity, but courtesy and full of respect.

“We all need, as a nation, to unite and work in synergy to achieve an everlasting peace. I thank you for your concern.”

Gumi said the invitation was necessary and that he had a productive interaction with the security operatives.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, had on Monday confirmed that the cleric had been invited for questioning over his controversial comments and seeming soft spot for bandits, emphasising that no one is above the law and Gumi, if found guilty, would be reprimanded.

Gumi’s latest stance that security agencies have no right to declare any Nigerian a terror financier, following a recent list released by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), declaring his close associate, Kaduna-based publisher, Tukur Mamu, and 14 others as terror sponsors.

The cleric had also offered to negotiate with bandits for the release of 137 pupils abducted on March 7 from the Chikun Local Council the criminal elements.

Gumi also urged government, like in the past, to negotiate with the bandits.