The Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmed Gumi has claimed that Nigerian security forces know where the criminals that have been abducting people in Northern Nigeria are.
Speaking with Nigeria Info 99.3 Lagos FM’s Maryann Okon on Hard Facts on Monday, the cleric said he had often gone to meet the bandits in the company of security agents.
“They (security forces) know where they are,” he said. “When I go, I go with them. I don’t go alone.”
The cleric, however, said the military might be holding back on attacking the bandits’ camps to avoid collateral civilian casualties.
Gunmi, known to consistently push for amnesty for the bandits, likened the kidnappers to the Niger Delta militants who attacked oil facilities and kidnapped expatriate workers in the mid to late 2000s.
He also spoke against the use of force to deal with the bandits, preferring negotiations. Gumi said military exertion could lead to the deaths of children.
“We are talking about children, who are innocent. They don’t know anything and they happen to be victims of these atrocities.
“So, we should do everything we can to get them out of danger. Then, we can do whatever we want.”
The Sheikh said force could also affect the Nigerian economy negatively.
