The Federal Government has invited Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, over his comments on the activities of bandits in the country.

The Minister of Information and Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known while addressing journalists at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday, March 25, 2024.

Idris said Gumi is not above the law, noting that the government has deemed it necessary to invite him for questioning.

Gumi had offered to dialogue with bandits who abducted 137 students from Kuriga Government Secondary and LEA Primary Schools in the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The abducted victims were released on Sunday, March 24.

However, the minister said the security agencies would do their work if they feel that the statements made by Gumi are “reckless”.

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Idris added that no ransom was paid for the release of the students, adding that President Bola Tinubu appreciated the role of the security services in the safe return of the abductees.

The minister said: “The government will stop at nothing to get any kind of information that is required to solve our problems. The security agencies are up and doing.

“Sheikh Gumi and any other individual are not above the law; if he has suggestions that are good enough and that are constructive enough for the security agencies to take, they will take.

“But if they think that he is also making some statements that appear to be reckless, he will also be reprimanded.

“There is nobody above the law. Let me put it here. And I’m aware that he has also been a guest of security agencies to answer questions.

“When you make remarks, especially those that border on our national security it is incumbent on our national security to think further, and they are doing just that, no one is above the law.”

The Star