Why is Gumi Lover of Bandits?

Notes for File

Why is the Kaduna-based Islamic Cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, fighting for bandits terrorising the country? These days, he has suddenly become fastidious, attacking anyone who dares disagree with his proposal on how to handle this notorious group. Last week, Presidential spokesman, Mr. Femi Adesina, became his latest victim in his sustained onslaught against those who condemn bandits in the country.

The cleric, who has engaged in a relentless campaign for amnesty for the bandits terrorising the country, had during an interview on ARISE News Channel, called journalists criminals for describing bandits as criminals.

He had also disagreed with his friend and Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, for insisting that the bandits should face military bombardment and should not be given amnesty.

Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State had also disagreed with the cleric on the issue.

Gumi last week lashed out at Adesina after the presidential aide called him a bandit-lover, though Adesina did not mention his name.

Adesina was on Thursday reacting to the statement credited to Gumi that the military offensive would not work and that the bandits “are going nowhere.”

Adesina said: “A bandit-lover is on record as saying a military offensive would not work, and that the bandits “are going nowhere.” True? False. They are going somewhere. And that is: hell.”

But in what seems like a firm attack on Buhari’s media aide, Gumi, said only “a fool will allow his dwelling to be a theatre of war”

Reacting to Adesina’s statement in an article posted on his verified Facebook account, Gumi said, “You bootlicker that called me a bandit-lover! I am not one, but my country-lover, my region-lover, my state-lover, and my people-lover, and humanity-lover.”

Even though Gumi has claimed that he is not a bandit-lover, his consistent publicity campaign for these criminals and his attacks on those who condemn them point to the contrary.