Why security chiefs must work with Ribadu – Sheikh Gumi
A renowned Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has urged the security chiefs to cooperate with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu to ensure adequate security measures are put in place to combat banditry and insurgence bedevlling Nigeria.
Sheikh Gumi made this disclosure in an interview on Trust TV on Sunday.
Gumi had played mediatory role and brought out many Fulani armed militia from the bushes before he abandoned the project at the height of banditry in the North West during the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
The Islamic scholar said he is willing to go back and finish what he started if there is a commitment from the current administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Meanwhile, Gumi, a medical doctor who retired as captain in the Nigerian Army, observed that President Bola Tinubu has taken the right course in the fight against insecurity in the country.
He stated, “They are starting from the scratch, so I think they have the opportunity to learn and take the right course. I think that having Nuhu Ribadu as the National Security Adviser is a positive step for us in this area.
“However, I hope he would not be a figurehead; the security chiefs should cooperate with him and coordinate with him.”
Gumi states further that what we usually lacked in previous administrations was lack of coordination.
“Different services are also in competition; in fact, they are jealous of one another, so they don’t cooperate and coordinate their actions. I think we can have peace if there is coordination.
Asked, if he would accept in the event that President Tinubu calls him to continue from where stopped, Gumi simply said, “Yes.”
He said, “You see, it is not only establishing contact, it is about confidence. We have built a bridge of confidence, not just contact. I think this is the time to come down and put everything on the table. But let the approach be holistic. That is my advice to the security chiefs.
“It is not only me. I know experts in this area who have gone and met them. We are all talking together, we are putting a blueprint. It has to be holistic. We are afraid that some people may try to hijack this project for some material gains. It has to be holistic because everybody involved who is capable should be brought on the table.
“Emirs, religious scholars and the military should be brought in let’s see how we can get out of this mess. The bandits should also come in.”
