Popular Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has said that acts of terrorism by armed herdsmen and bandits in Nigeria are a result of the ongoing tribal war in the country.
Mr Gumi stated this on Wednesday, 23 June 2021 when he featured on an ARISE NEWS programme, The Morning Show. He noted that herdsmen in other regions in the country are lynched, killed and their children are sometimes decapitated.
According to him, governments at all levels and well-meaning Nigerians should remain neutral to bring lasting peace to the issues of banditry and herdsmen attack.
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Gumi also said he was aware that bandits engaging in kidnapping and killing of victims in the North worked in collaboration with some security officers to facilitate the movement of arms across the borders into the country.
However, the Nigeria Army has dismissed the allegation that its personnel were colluding with bandits. Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement, said the Army remained a symbol of national unity that had discharged its constitutional responsibilities in the most professional manner in line with global best practices.
He said army personnel had always adhered to the rules of engagement and protection of the fundamental human rights of the citizenry.
According to him, the sweeping allegation peddled by the scholar is not only sad and unfortunate but a calculated attempt to denigrate the Nigerian military and undermine the sacrifices of our patriotic troops, who are working tirelessly to restore peace and stability across the country.
“It is essential to remind ourselves that these same militaries, being accused of connivance, are the ones who recently put their lives on the line to rescue abductees of the Government Secondary School, Birnin Yauri from kidnappers.
“While the NA will not attempt to excuse the possibility of black sheep amongst its fold, it must be stated unambiguously that it will not condone any form of sabotage or aiding and assisting the enemy by any personnel.
“The provisions for dealing decisively with such acts are crystallised in Section 45 (1) of the Armed Forces Act CAP A 20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
“It must also be pointed out, that while the military is very much receptive to constructive criticism, it should not be perceived as a gateway for derogatory comments that have the potential to embolden criminals.”
He also cautioned that patriotism should be taken to a trajectory where subversive conversations on the state were brought to the barest minimum.
Watch video of the interview below:
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