Gumi hands off banditry mediation, says it’s dangerous for him

Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi has said he would no longer act as a mediator for bandits since the Federal Government has declared them terrorists.

The cleric, who disclosed this in an interview with Premium Times on Wednesday, said it would be dangerous for him to continue to engage the bandits since they have been declared terrorists.

According to him, “Since the federal government has declared them terrorists, I don’t have anything to do with them anymore.

“I will not like to expose myself to danger again and to put a spotlight on myself unnecessarily.

“I have tried all I could do to admonish the nation on the best way to do it, but it seems my advice has fallen on deaf ears.”

Gumi maintained that he had taken risks to talk to the bandits, which he said was to ensure peace in the country.

“I have endangered my life for peace by going to the forest and engaged the bandits. Among them, there are rock bandits; they are dangerous, armed ready to fire.

“It is dangerous; still, we risked our lives to see that we bring peace to this nation. Because somebody has to take that risk, and we took it and thanked God we came out safely and knowledgeable, knowing how to come about this issue.

“Maybe in the future, when the political situation changes for the better, we can do it again so that there will be peace, harmony and tranquillity in the country.”