Popular Islamic Cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has offered himself to negotiate between the government and the bandits responsible for the abduction of about 287 schoolchildren from Kuriga Government Secondary and LEA Primary Schools in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Speaking, he advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu – GCFR not to toe the path of Former President Muhammadu Buhari who refused to negotiate with bandits when the opportunity presented itself.
“The government’s stand of no negotiation with the bandits is an unfortunate position. My advice is that the government should 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,” he said.
“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 dialoguing with the bandits because the past administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari refused to do so.”
The cleric has a history of negotiating with bandits to secure the release of abductees.