THE Federal Government says it has invited Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, over his comments on the activities of bandits in the country.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Information and Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Monday while addressing journalists at the State House, Abuja.
Idris said Gumi is not above the law, noting that the government has deemed it necessary to invite him for questioning.
This newspaper reports that the cleric offered to dialogue with bandits who abducted about 287 schoolchildren (137 as claimed by the Kaduna State Government) from Kuriga Government Secondary and LEA Primary Schools in the Chikun Local Government Area of the state.
According to him, Tinubu must not repeat the mistake made by former President Muhammadu Buhari, who refused to dialogue with bandits.
Gumi had previously negotiated on behalf of state governments to free abducted persons.
The abducted Kaduna children were released on Sunday, while the FG claimed that no ransom was paid for their release.
“In keeping with the commitment of Mr President, no ransom was paid,” said Idris after the Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to Idris, the President appreciated the role of the security services in the safe return of the abductees, vowing that all those involved in the abduction would be fished out and punished.
Speaking on the development, the information minister said the security agencies will do their work if they feel that the statements made by Gumi are “reckless”.
“The government will stop at nothing to get any kind of information that is required to solve our problems. The security agencies are up and doing.
“Sheikh Gumi and any other individual are not above the law; if he has suggestions that are good enough and that are constructive enough for the security agencies to take, they will take.
“But if they think that he is also making some statements that appear to be reckless, he will also be reprimanded.
“There is nobody above the law. Let me put it here. And I’m aware that he has also been a guest of security agencies to answer questions.
“When you make remarks, especially those that border on our national security it is incumbent on our national security to think further, and they are doing just that, no one is above the law,” he added.