The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Ogun State chapter, has charged the Federal government to arrest and prosecute an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Abubakar Gumi, for promoting banditry in the country, Njenje Media News reports.
According to NANS, it was not pleased with the manner in which the Federal Government is treating Gumi like a Messiah when he should be treated like a “criminal” for supporting armed bandits who have been kidnapping and terrorising the country.
Njenje Media News recalls that Gumi has been in the news recently where he has been seen publicly fraternizing and allegedly negotiating with bandits, and shocked the nation when he averred that most bandits are not criminals.
On Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari joined some northern governors in saying all bandits should be treated like criminals.
The Chairman of NANS in Ogun, Damilola Simeon, in a statement said it was alleged that Gumi was justifying the criminal activities of armed bandits in the north.
Gumi, had accused the Nigerian military of triggering the raging banditry in parts of the North.
The cleric, who claimed to have been meeting with bandits in forests across Northern states, alleged that non-Muslim soldiers had carried out orchestrated killings in some communities, precipitating anger, a claim NANS described as baseless and false.
The NANS chairman is of the opinion that Gumi’s recent comments and attitude could further embolden the bandits and worsen the security situation of the country and further divide the volatile nation.
The student leader further inferred that the the military and other law enforcement agents ought to have investigated the Kaduna based cleric for his association with “criminals and enemies of the State.”
“We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately order the arrest of Gumi for his alleged support and association with armed bandits.
“Gumi should be treated as a criminal and not as a Messiah. His acts have further exposed the military and the entire country to further attacks by marauding bandits,” the statement read in part.
