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What I Will Do If My Child Is Kidnapped By Bandits – Gumi
- “This is just simple logic. It does not require any rocket science. How can you play with lives?”
Ahmad Gumi, prominent Islamic cleric, has revealed the steps and actions he will take should bandits kidnap any of his child.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Pidgin on Friday, the cleric doubled down on his position that ransom should be paid to bandits to secure release of their captives.
On Wednesday, the cleric had urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to pay the N100 million demanded by the abductors of Greenfield University students kidnapped in April.
Commenting again on the development, Gumi said the federal government has to choose between the option of saving the lives of students or paying the N100 million.
“Life versus material; that is how you will look at it. It is the absolute responsibility of the government to protect lives. Now we have lives or N100 million at stake and these lives of 17 innocent young children,” he said.
He disclosed that he would not throw his hand up in despair or wave the white flag of surrender if bandits kidnapped his child, adding that he would head to Aso Rock and demand action from the government.
“I can’t imagine if my child is there. I can never keep quiet. I will go and knock on Aso Rock, if my child is there. They are my children too.
“What is N100 million? So, what I’m saying is, free these children then the field is open for you to whatever action you have. It is between bandits and N100 million. I do not want the struggle between bandits and lives.
Read Also: What Obasanjo And I Discovered While Trying To Rescue Abducted Kaduna Students — Sheikh Gumi
“This is just simple logic. It does not require any rocket science. How can you play with lives? You can play with your money, but you can’t play with peoples’ lives. They just went there to study.”
Sheikh Gumi
In recent times, there’s been inexorable rise in attacks on schools in the northern part of the country, leading to abductions and killings.
Gumi is known to have repeatedly made claims which many had interpreted as implicit justification of bandits activities, he’s also a strong advocate being lenient with bandits and other non-state actor terrorising the north, he had at one point or the other push for amnesty and rehabilitation of bandits.
The cleric said bandits do not feel the pain of kidnapping because they don’t have access to quality education.
Gumi said he had informed the government that if bandits have schools, they will not attack people.
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