Controversial Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, says the declaration of bandits and terrorists by a high court in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital is political.
Gumi said the decision was for mere political expediency, and one that will change nothing.
A Federal High Court in Abuja had declared bandits anywhere in the country as terrorists.
Justice Taiwo Taiwo, ruling on an ex parte motion filed by the Federal Government, said groups, such as Yan Bindiga and Yan Ta’adda are nothing other than terrorists.
But in a statement by his media consultant, Malam Tukur Mamu, said “I think the Federal Government has succumbed to media blackmail by a section of the country.”
“It will not have any practical value because even before the declaration they were being fought and treated as terrorists,” Gumi said.
He added that, “So, it’s just a nomenclature which I believe will not change the dynamics on ground.
“If you can remember IPOB was also declared a terrorist organisation, the declaration was even backed by the order of the court but as you can see even the international community did not recognize FG’s declaration of IPOB. So it has failed to be effective or to achieve the desired results.”
“They have not been banned from travelling to other countries while their citizenship remains intact, it has not been denounced. So what type of declaration is that?
Gumi explained that, “I sincerely hope that Nigerians will not take the herdsmen as terrorists but should regard the criminality of the few among them against innocent people as acts of terrorism just as we see IPOB and their attacks on security agencies and other northern citizens as acts of terrorism. Very few herdsmen are bandits if you go through their population.
“I hope this declaration will not give the license to people to be profiling herdsmen in general as terrorists and taking laws into their hands against them. It will cause more mayhem.
“The declaration will not change anything; it will not change the dynamics. Already the military is engaging them. It didn’t stop them from kidnapping and killing. The declaration will not end their aggression against the society.
