Abubakar Mahmud GumiChristian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed disappointment with Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, over his alleged profiling of military operatives recently, while addressing some bandits in Tegina forest, a border town between Niger and Kaduna states.
CAN told Gumi to withdraw his statement accusing some soldiers of engaging in criminalities, in the interest of peace and unity of the country. x
Gumi had reportedly said: “Soldiers that are involved in most of the criminalities are not Muslims. Soldiers have Muslims and non-Muslims; the non-Muslims are the ones causing confusion just to ignite crisis.”
In a statement yesterday in Abuja, General Secretary of CAN, Joseph Daramola, noted that anyone saying that Christian soldiers are the ones attacking bandits does not wish the country well,” adding that the Islamic cleric’s statement could lead to division in the country.
Abubakar Mahmud Gumi
The Pan Niger Delta Forum, (PANDEF) has condemned comments credited to Islamic Cleric, Ahmad Gumi, in which he likened armed Fulani herdsmen as militants fighting for ethnic survival and not bandits.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Ken Robinson, the group said it was vexatious and a huge nonsense for Gumi to say that killer herdsmen and murderous bandits should not be referred to as criminals, but militants fighting an ethnic war and for their existence.
Robinson said it was unfortunate that the country had continued to hear absurd statements from a man he described as ‘leader of marauders and murderers’, dressed in cleric’s toga, urging the media to stop giving him attention as his statement was capable of inciting crisis.
With headquarters in Abuja and commands in almost all the 36 states and 180,000 volunteers who are mostly youths, the corps operates like a paramilitary organisation.
Findings by our correspondents revealed that volunteers of the corps are subjected to one month drill before they are enlisted.
Some people believe that the Peace Corps has filled a large vacuum considering that thousands of youths have found a source of livelihood through the volunteer services they offer.
However, security experts observe that while the Peace Corps is found in many countries around the world and recognised as a voluntary organisation that helps in societal harmony and peaceful coexistence, making it a statutory agency in Nigeria will be an additional burden on the federal government.