Renowned Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has appealed to the Federal Government to employ the negotiation strategy employed in the recent release of the Kaduna-Abuja train victims to secure the freedom of the abducted students and pupils from Kuriga in Kaduna State.
Gumi made this plea in an exclusive interview with THE WHISTLER on Tuesday, expressing his readiness to facilitate discussions between the government and the bandits.
The abduction took place on March 7th, when a large group of armed men invaded both the Government Secondary School (GSS) and the Local Education Authority (LEA) Primary School in Kuriga, Kaduna State. During the attack, 287 individuals were taken captive, and a vigilante was killed.
Emphasizing the need for negotiation, Gumi stated, “In the past, during a similar incident involving a train attack, the government established a high-level committee comprising ex-generals and academics who successfully negotiated with the captors. I suggested that they reactivate this committee, as it could be instrumental in resolving the current crisis.”
He continued, “I am willing to participate in this process as a humanitarian gesture. It’s imperative for all stakeholders to be involved in the negotiation process to effectively address the situation.”
Gumi stressed that negotiating with the bandits is essential to breaking the cycle of violence that has plagued the country. When asked about the motives of the bandits, he indicated that the government is aware of their demands and highlighted the complex interests involved in the ongoing insecurity.
Explaining the rationale behind negotiating with the bandits, Gumi said, “Various interest groups are involved in the fight against banditry, making it challenging to reach a consensus. Some parties benefit financially from the conflict and are reluctant to see it end. Therefore, it’s crucial for the government to demonstrate political will and engage in dialogue with the bandits.”
He drew parallels with conflict resolution methods employed in other regions, stating, “Just as Israelis negotiate with Hamas in Gaza, we should be able to engage with criminals to pursue peace.”
Gumi urged the government to adopt a comprehensive approach similar to the Niger Delta strategy to address the root causes of insecurity before it escalates further, emphasizing the need to protect civilians from terror attacks.
Responding to calls for his arrest, Gumi expressed frustration with the prevailing confusion among Nigerians and emphasized the importance of transcending boundaries to find solutions. He reiterated his willingness to engage with the bandits to understand their grievances and facilitate a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
