Pascal Arogorn Ibe
Maj – Gen . Babagana Monguno ( retd . ) , says popular Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi is constitutionally entitled to “ talk” or “ deal” with anyone in the country including bandits.
Monguno spoke on Thursday at a State House Briefing in Aso Villa, Abuja .
Of late , Sheikh Gumi had been seen hobnobbing with bandits in the forests of Zamfara and Niger States . He had also asked the government to give “ Blanket Amnesty ” to the bandits whom he claimed were fighting an “ ethnic war ” .
The cleric had also reportedly told the bandits that Christian soldiers were the ones neutralising them . The Nigerian Army subsequently warned the cleric against making divisive statements .
Many Nigerians including an aide of former President Goodluck Jonathan , Reno Omokri , had also called the Department of State Services to summon and probe Gumi over his relationship with the bandits.
When asked on Thursday of his comments on Gumi , the National Security Adviser said the cleric is doing what is doing because he believes in his approach .
Monguno , who also said the government believes in two approaches – combative and dialogue – to ending the war on insurgency and banditry , said he met with Gumi in Kaduna lately.
The NSA said , “ Sheikh Gumi is doing what he is doing because he believes in what he is doing . He is a Nigerian , Under the constitution, he can talk with anybody, he can deal with anybody. I met with him ( Gumi) when I went with the service chiefs to Kaduna. We spoke generally during the meeting and he resolved to help government , we are waiting . That ’ s all I can say , we are waiting for him . ”
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