Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a renowned Muslim cleric based in Kaduna, has called upon the government to permit him to initiate dialogue with bandits responsible for abducting approximately 287 students from Kuriga Government Secondary and LEA Primary Schools in Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State.
Emphasizing dialogue as the preferable approach, Gumi urged President Bola Tinubu to adopt a different strategy from his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, who had rejected such negotiations.
The abduction incident in Kuriga came on the heels of another kidnapping event where 200 internally displaced women were taken by insurgents in Borno State, highlighting a disturbing trend of violence and abductions in the region.
In light of these events, the Kaduna State government has maintained its stance against negotiating with the bandits for the release of the schoolchildren. This decision follows a protest by residents of Gonin-Gora in Chikun LGA, who demonstrated against the abduction of several individuals in their area.
Responding to the situation, Gumi, in a statement, criticized the government’s refusal to engage in dialogue with the bandits. He suggested employing the same tactics used to secure the release of passengers abducted on the Abuja–Kaduna train in 2022 for the current situation involving the Kuriga school children and other victims.
Gumi expressed his willingness to spearhead comprehensive negotiations between the government and the bandits, citing it as his religious duty to pursue peace.
He voiced his hope that the Tinubu administration would be open to dialogue, contrasting with the previous government’s reluctance.
Gumi has previously been involved in negotiations that successfully led to the release of individuals abducted by bandits, acting on behalf of state governments.
