The Federal Government says it has invited Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, an Islamic cleric based in Kaduna, to respond to his comments about bandit activities in the country.
Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and Orientation, stated this to journalists on Monday at the State House in Abuja.
Idris stated that Gumi was not above the law, stressing that the administration found it essential to summon him for questioning.
Chronicle NG reports that Gumi offered to dialogue with bandits who abducted about 287 schoolchildren (137 as claimed by the Kaduna State Government) from Kuriga Government Secondary and LEA Primary Schools in the Chikun Local Government Area of the state.
He believes Tinubu should not make the same error as former President Muhammadu Buhari, who refused to engage in discussion with terrorists.
Gumi had previously negotiated on behalf of state governments to release kidnapped individuals.
The abducted Kaduna children were released on Sunday, with the government claiming that no ransom was paid for their release.
“In keeping with the commitment of Mr. President, no ransom was paid,” said Idris after the Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to Idris, the president praised the security agencies for ensuring the release of the abductees and promised that all those involved in the abduction would be apprehended and punished.
Speaking about the development, the information minister stated that security agencies will carry out their duties if they believe Gumi’s words are “reckless.”.
“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 running.
“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.
“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 at 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.
