Renowned islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has led a group of Northern leaders in courtesy visit to the home of former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo.
The meeting was part of continued efforts to find solutions to the general insecurity in the countryside and particularly for the menace of banditry, kidnapping and ransom payment.
Gumi was accompanied by Usman Yusuf, Tukur Mamu, Umar Ardo, Ibrahim Abdullahi, Suleiman Gumi, Suleiman Yakubu and Buba Mohammed to the home of Obasanjo in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.
Read Also: Kagara School Abduction: ‘There’s Hope That We Can Resolve This’ – Sheikh Gumi
The meeting was centred on causes, remote and immediate effects of insecurity as well as implications, actions and reactions by communities, local authorities, state governments, national government and governments of neghbouring countries and countries within West Africa.
Gumi briefed Obasanjo on the measures and steps he had taken and spearheaded to stem the tide of insecurity and menace of banditry, kidnapping and ransom payment in many parts of the North.
The cleric has been meeting with various stakeholders as part of efforts to solve the security challenge.
Gumi has often called on the federal government to grant amnesty to bandits attacking residents across northern parts of the country.
He has repeatedly said the bandits should not be castigated and referred to as criminals if the country wants them to lay down their weapons.
In a communiqué of the meeting, Obasanjo and Gumi arrived on some points and appropriate recommendations.
They agreed to continue to work together for solutions for the security of Nigeria and to seek others to join us as we widely circulate the joint statement.
The meeting posited;
To this end, Sheik Gumi has extended an invitation to Chief Obasanjo to visit Kaduna with a view to continuing the discourse started today and Chief Obasanjo has graciously accepted.
We conclude that to keep Nigeria safe and secure for all Nigerians and others living in Nigeriais a task that all well-meaning Nigerians must engage in, separately and collectively.
The statement added;
Both of us resolve that we would not relent in our efforts. The delegations on both sides acceded to this statement. We agree to meet again in due course to re-examine progress and situation of security in Nigeria.
Gumi thanked Obasanjo for his past services emphasising the special unifying efforts and attributes to the nation and for the warm welcome accorded his delegation.
The meeting identified that the menace of banditry, kidnapping, other crimes and atrocities leading to general insecurity is a nationwide phenomenon.
They also acknowledged that people from different parts of the country and outside the country are involved although some people are more predominantly involved than others.
In addition, the meeting posited that all well-meaning Nigerians have to be involved in finding solutions by:
Desisting from blame game;desisting from ethnicising these crimes; desisting from religionising these crimes; desisting from regionalising these crimes; respecting one another individually, community-wise, locally, ethnically, religiously and socially.
The meeting identified need in showing tolerance and accommodation where necessary; condemning criminal acts no matter where it is committed and by whom it is committed in Nigeria; encouraging more of carrot solution as may be found necessary; sharing information at all levels; not accepting criminality as a way of life for any individual or group in our nation.
