Furore over Sheikh Gumi’s amnesty call for bandits
PROMINENT socio- cultural groups across the country have cautioned Federal Government against accepting suggestion by Sheikh Gumi that amnesty and cash compensation be granted to bandits and Fulani herdsmen who have been accused of perpetrating atrocities against Nigerians.
Among the groups that condemned Gumi’s call are panYoruba socio- cultural organisation, Afenifere; Urhobo Progress Union ( UPU); Middle Belt Forum ( MBF), Yoruba Council of Elders ( YCE) and National Consultative Front ( Ncfront).
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EACTING to Gumi’s suggestion, Afenifere stalwart, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, said it exposed insincerity some Nigerians with regard to finding lasting solution to challenges facing the coun
• Afenifere, MBF, UPU, Ncfront, YCE reject suggestion • ‘ Nigeria should as well compensate armed robbers, other criminals’
try. ment.
“It has to a stage where one is “I cannot be convinced that getting weary of talking and the President is not aware of shouting. There is nothing in, the atrocities of the bandits. and for this country again If the north is alleging that unless it is restructured. the south wants to drive all Nigeria has broken down, Fulani away from their and without the needful region ( south), why are we done, it will continue to walnot attacking Dangote and lop in crisis,” he said. other level headed Fulani
The elder statesman wonnationals in the south or why dered why anyone in his right are Yoruba and Igbo residing sense and good frame of in the north not perpetratmind would talk about coming crime against northernpensating bandits while ers in the north? Why must nothing is being said about bandits be compensated or rehabilitating their victims granted amnesty? I think who have either been killed, Gumi is simply a mouthmaimed and raped or their piece of some elements in farmlands and properties the north,” Adebanjo fumed.
M damaged. What kind of counBF dismissed Gumi’s try is this?” suggestion as lacking
Adebanjo challenged reasoning and basic comPresident Muhammadu mon sense.
Buhari to speak on the securiSpokesman of the forum, Dr. ty situation in the country, Isuwa Dogo, wondered why saying his silence is an indict
Gumi could ask government to use taxpayers’ money to meet demands of bandits, who have been killing Nigerians.
PU described Gumi’s amnesty call as senseless, irresponsible and capable of damaging unity and peace of Nigeria if granted.
Publicity Secretary of UPU, Abel Oshevire, said there was no basis for compensating bandits “because they are common criminals who raised arms against their nation, unlike Niger Delta militants who are basically fighting injustice done to them through exploration of oil in their region which causes damages to their environment.”
The union further said: “We initially thought Gumi was going to tell the bandits to surrender their arms and embrace peace with the country, not knowing he would be demanding for amnesty. Gumi should be told to tell the bandits to lay down their arms and embrace peace.”
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ORUBA Council of Elders ( YCE) cautioned Federal Government against pampering criminals under the guise of amnesty.
The elders said the bandits should be rounded up and prosecuted while Gumi, who knows them, should be summoned for questioning.
Secretary of YCE, Dr. Kunle Olajide, told The Guardian, yesterday, in Ado Ekiti: “As far as I am concerned, bandits are criminals. They ought to be arrested. In fact, Sheik Gunmi who knows them should be called to question. “Amnesty for what, for herdsmen? Anybody looking at the video of Gumi with the criminal bandits surrounding him with guns should know that is the last thing that should be contemplated.
“In fact, we are still suffering from Boko Haram insurgents that were rehabilitated a year ago by this same government.
“The victims of their dastardly acts are still suffering. They forced many women to become widows, who have been living on charity, yet somebody is suggesting that we continue to use government money to pamper criminals?
“I am not sure whether we still have government because this should not be considered at all. We are still worried that abductors of 300 students in Katsina have not been brought to justice.”
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LEADER of Ncfront, Dr. Tanko Yinusa, said it was unfortunate Nigeria laid a bad precedent of asking for amnesty for those who raised arms against their country, which Gumi is latching onto.
“It is absolutely unnecessary and unacceptable for any reasonable human being and Nigeria, of course, to imagine amnesty and cash compensation to these bandits when nothing is being said about their victims.”
Yinusa, however, posited that if that would bring about peace to the country like the late President Umaru Yar’adua did to the Niger Delta militants, let us embrace it.
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UT former governor of Ogun Stage, Chief Segun Osoba, said: “In that wise, let us assemble all the armed robbers and other criminals in Nigeria and start compensating them. No serious government will listen to such suggestion.”