Sheikh Gumi Asks FG To Give Bandits ‘Blanket Amnesty’

Controversial Islamic scholar, Sheikh Gumi, who has been negotiating with bandits across the country has asked the Federal Government to give bandits willing to make peace ‘blanket amnesty’ if the current security situation must be tackled.

The Islamic scholar disclosed this on Friday while addressing journalists in Minna, Niger State capital after he visited the camp of some bandits operating within the State.

He explained that some of the complaints of the bandits are that they were being killed and maimed unjustly.

Speaking about his discussion during his secret visit to the bandits, Sheik Gumi said there is a positive response from the bandits who are holding the Kagara school students and their staff captive.

He, however, did not state if the students have been released.

Gumi is not the only one asking the government to grant immunity to bandits. Earlier, The governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle asked president Muhammadu Buhari to consider granting amnesty to bandits rampaging across the country.

He argued that most of the bandits take up arms due to the injustice meted on them by some members of society.

Hundreds of persons have been killed or kidnapped by the bandits in Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Niger, Kaduna, and Nasarawa states being the hardest hit.

Gumi’s comments come a few days after gunmen gained access to Government Science College, Kagara, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State around 2:00 and abducted scores of students, teachers and many others.