Group Demands Arrest of Sheikh Gumi Over Alleged Ties to Bandits

A civil society group called Rising-Up for a United Nigeria (RUN) has called for the immediate arrest of Sheikh Abubakar Gumi, a Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, for his alleged connections to terrorist groups.

In a statement, RUN expressed concerns over Gumi’s consistent defense of bandits and terrorists, as well as his willingness to negotiate on their behalf.

The group argued that these actions challenge the rule of law and compromise national security.

The statement highlighted Gumi’s recent comments comparing the Niger Delta situation to the North’s banditry crisis, where he suggested that bandits should be offered similar deals to those given to Niger Delta militants to secure pipelines.

RUN described these statements as a declaration of war on the Nigerian state.

The group also called on the Defense Headquarters to consider Gumi’s arrest, arguing that his activities align with those of someone coordinating bandit operations for personal gain.

RUN emphasized the importance of preserving the nation’s territorial integrity and urged the Chief of Defense Staff to focus on Gumi as a potential threat to national security.

RUN’s demand for Gumi’s arrest comes amid growing concerns about the security situation in Nigeria, particularly in regions ravaged by kidnappings and banditry for over a decade.

The group believes that inaction could undermine the efforts of the security forces and erode public trust.