Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheik Ahmad Gumi, has vowed to not mediate for bandits who were recently labelled officially as terrorists by the court.
The kaduna-based cleric, who became known for his prowess as the chief negotiator of the bandits said he would take a low profile and would no longer engage with bandits.
Before now, Gumi had visited bandits in the forest and had solicited for their cause severally. The cleric had opined many times that amnesty be granted to bandits that have continued to unleash carnage in parts of the country.
Meanwhile, Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court in a ruling declared the activities of the ‘Yan Bindiga Group’ and the ‘Yan Ta’adda Group’ and other similar groups in any part of the country, especially in the North-West and North-Central geopolitical zones, as “acts of terrorism and illegality.”
Gumi who spoke with an online medium said the declaration of the court has made him to quit mediation for armed bandits.
He added that it will be dangerous to continue speaking for bandits following the court’s declaration. Gumi said he would now be a “spectator in the crisis”.
In his words, “I will not like to expose myself to danger again and to put a spotlight on myself unnecessarily,” the cleric said.
“I have tried all I could do to admonish the nation on the best way to do it, but it seems my advice has fell (fallen) on deaf ears.”
“I have endangered my life for peace by going to the forest and engaged the bandits. Among them there are rock bandits, they are dangerous, armed ready to fire.
“It is dangerous, still we risked our lives to see that we bring peace to this nation. Because somebody has to take that risk and we took it and thanked God we came out safely and knowledgeable, knowing how to come about this issue.
“Maybe in the future when the political situation changes for better, we can do it again so that there will be peace, harmony and tranquility in the country.”
