Kaduna Abduction: “Security Agents Know Bandits’ Hideouts”, Gumi Opens Up on Safe Release of Pupils

• Controversial Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi has made a stunning revelation about bandits and security agents
• Gumi disclosed that bandits were just marginalised Nigerians who lacked access to basic social amenities, adding that security agents knew their location and hideouts in the northern region
• The cleric urged President Tinubu's led federal government to dialogue with the bandits who abducted schoolchildren in Kaduna state

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

Kaduna state - Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a controversial Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, has claimed that security agents knew the hideout of bandits terrorising Nigerians, especially in the northern parts of the country.

Gumi revealed this during an interview on Nigeria Info FM on Monday evening, March 18. He said that the security agents followed him to negotiate with the bandits.

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BREAKING: Kidnapped Kaduna 287 schoolchildren released, details emerge

The controversial cleric urged the federal government to negotiate with the kidnappers who abducted about 287 pupils from Kuriga Government Secondary and LEA Primary Schools in the Chikun local government area of Kaduna state because that is the only way the pupils can return unharm, BusinessDay reported.

Recall that the kidnappers holding 287 students and teachers hostage have reached out to the spokesperson of the troubled families and threatened to kill the hostages in 20 days if they fail to provide the N1 billion ransom demanded.

A community leader, Jubril Aminu, who acted as the representative of the hostage families, disclosed the demands of the kidnappers.

The federal government has, however, said it would not pay “a dime” as a ransom for the release of school children, promising that they would be “brought back to safety”.

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“Military angered bandits”: Gumi exposes army tactics, sends message to Tinubu

But Sheikh Gumi argued that negotiation does not necessarily mean money will be paid to the kidnappers; it might be releasing prisoners for captives.

Speaking on how easy it was for him to locate and meet with the bandits while security agents struggled with their location, Gumi said:

“I don’t think they (security agents) are truthful with you. When I go, I go with them; I don’t go alone.”

Terrorists told to release hostages in spirit of Ramadan

Meanwhile, concerned Nigerians have appealed to bandits to release the pupils and women abducted in Kaduna and Borno, respectively.

The Kalthum Foundation for Peace (KFP) appealed to the president in Abuja on Friday, March 15.

They urged the bandits to have mercy and release the hostages in the spirit of Ramadan.

Source: Legit.ng