A Kaduna State-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has promised President Bola Tinubu that he can help the nation to negotiate with bandits for the freedom of the 287 abducted pupils.
The cleric said that it is one of his religious responsibilities to seek peace with bandits.
In an interview with the press on Tuesday, Gumi hinted that he would volunteer to facilitate negotiations with bandits for the release of abducted 287 Kuriga schoolchildren.
“I am ready to lead a holistic dialogue between the government and bandits. It is a religious duty for me to do so for peace,” Mr Gumi said.
The cleric added that he hoped that the Tinubu administration would listen to hold dialogue with the bandits because the past administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari refused to do so.
He stressed that government dialogue with bandits should be holistic and not restricted only to secure the release of abducted schoolchildren, according to Peoples Gazette.
“My advice is that the government should hold dialogue with the bandits not only for these Kuriga school children’ abduction but all the cases,’ ‘ Mr Gumi said. “Also, the government should use the same approach it used in releasing passengers that were abducted on Abuja – Kaduna train in 2022 to release the Kuriga schoolchildren and others.”
