Nigerians decry Gumi’s allegations of FG patronising bandits, terrorists
By Ndukaku Ihe
Nigerians have expressed anger over claims by a prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi that the federal government has detailed information on the identities and hideouts of terrorists operating across the country but has failed to act .Sheikh Gumi, a Kaduna-based Islamic scholar and retired Army captain, made the allegation during an interview with DRTV, stating that security agencies accompany him during his controversial negotiations with armed groups in the North .
AbeyaNews reports that his allegations elicited criticism on social media, with many Nigerians questioning why the government would possess such intelligence without acting on it.
Activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore alleged collusion between the government and criminals.
He said: “Gumi is not lying. All these terrorists are in beds with people in the government. Whenever there is mass kidnapping, why do you think the govt is able to hear from the terrorists? It is because they have their phone numbers.”
Veteran musician, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, echoed similar sentiments. “This is what leadership in Nigeria is up to, in Bed with those who want to kill us,” he wrote.
Social media user, Shuaibu expressed surprise at the lack of official response. “Gumi said boldly on national TV that Tinubu’s FG knows names and locations of every terrorist in Nigeria. Yet, nothing is being done about this crucial issue. News outlets are not even giving it the attention it deserves”, he said.
Another user, Olusegun Bakare, drew connections to recent controversial statements by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu , saying: “The Tinubu government knows every terrorist by name, says Gumi. No wonder Nuhu said they are his brothers.”
Another user, Christiana Daniel said: “Sheik Gumi is saying the govt knows this terrorist by name and location and has chosen to look through other ways. Our government is complicit” while one user, Capt. Arinze Odira, expressed shock at the revelation. “Is this real or AI? I don’t want to believe it is real. Just for me to be able to sleep well tonight, even if it is real, I will try to convince myself that he is lying”, he said.
