Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has revealed his intention to hold a dialogue with bandits who abducted about 287 schoolchildren from Kuriga Government Secondary and LEA Primary Schools in the Chikun Local Government Area of the state.
Gumi said he would facilitate the release of the abducted schoolchildren if President Bola Tinubu gives him the opportunity to negotiate.
Gumi said Tinubu must not repeat the mistake made by former President Muhammadu Buhari, who refused to have a dialogue with bandits.
It may be recalled that bandits invaded Kuriga, in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, shooting at their victims before taking away at least 280 of the pupils and teachers from both schools.
The incident occurred barely 24 hours after insurgents abducted 200 internally displaced women in Borno State.
The women were kidnapped in Ngala, the headquarters of Gambarou Ngala in Borno State, while fetching firewood in the bush.
While the Kaduna State Government has so far refused to hold a dialogue with the bandits to release the schoolchildren and has also refuted claims that it had hired a private negotiator to facilitate the release of the victims, Gumi said in a statement, “The government’s stand of no negotiation with the bandits is an unfortunate position.
“My advice is that the government should [hold] dialogue with the bandits, not only for these Kuriga school children’s abductions but all cases.
“Also, the government should use the same approach it used in releasing passengers that were abducted on the Abuja–Kaduna train in 2022 to release the Kuriga school children and others.
“I am ready to lead a holistic dialogue between the government and bandits. It is my religious duty to do so for peace.
“I hope the present government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will listen by [holding] dialogue with the bandits because the past administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari refused to do so.”
Gumi had previously negotiated on behalf of state governments to free people abducted by bandits.
