Stop Justifying Actions Of Bandits, Kastsina Gov. Tells Gumi

Aminu Masari, governor of Katsina state, has warned Ahmad Gumi, prominent Islamic cleric, to refrain from holding brief for monstrous bandits that are terrorising the north.

In recent times, bandits have wreaked havoc in the north, attacking villages and kidnapping schoolchildren.

Ekohotblog reports that Gumi have been mediating between the government and the bandits. However, he’s, at every given opportunity, explicitly defended the actions of the bandits, saying the only way the government can get the bandits to desist from their nefarious deeds is to grant them Amnesty, adding that they are victims of circumstances.

Recall that over 300 students were abducted in Kankara, Katsina state in December 2020, they were released six days later. .

But in an interview with THISDAY, Masari said bandits killing Nigerians in the north do not deserve amnesty.

He noted that the government had taken the amnesty route in 2016 but it didn’t work, adding that the bandits betrayed the government after previous attempts to grant them amnesty

“Amnesty for who? Look, Gumi is doing it in 2021, we did it in 2016. At least there is something to learn from us,” he was quoted as saying.

“When we started the dialogue in 2016, 95 per cent of the herders living in the forest were not criminals but what is the situation today? Majority of the herders living in the forest today are bandits.

“Gumi should have been preaching to them on the fear of God; to understand the implications of killing somebody but certainly not amnesty because even animals are not allowed to be killed unjustly let alone human beings. He should also let the bandits know the value of their own religion.”

He added that there is nothing new in what the bandits are demanding but, most importantly, “they are not promoting any ideology.”

“Are we all happy in Nigeria? Does it mean those who are unhappy would take arms against other people? They (bandits) kept on saying they are being marginalised, how many people are marginalised and neglected in Nigeria today,” the governor asked.

“A thief is a thief and a criminal is a criminal. They are criminally- minded and can’t justify killing innocent souls.”

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:

Like Coup Plotters, Bandits Also Deserve Pardon – Gumi

Gov. Masari Blasts Sheik Gumi, Says The Cleric Should Preach Implications Of Banditry