Bishop Matthew Kukah is advocating for a rigorous investigation into individuals professing strong connections with bandits, stressing the imperative for the Federal Government to adopt firm measures in combating the pervasive insecurity plaguing the northern territories of the nation.
During an interview with Channels Television at an event in Rivers State, the Bishop from the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto shared these sentiments.
He raised concerns about the Federal Government’s failure to thoroughly investigate individuals alleging intimate connections with bandits.
“It is clear that the Federal Government at the highest level knows what is going on, at least the intelligence community has an idea,” the clergyman said on Tuesday.
“There are key Nigerians who are saying openly that they know more than they think the rest of us know, and I think that it is the business of the Federal Government to find out those who claim to know where the bandits are, those who are collaborating with the bandit.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Government says security operatives have invited influential Kaduna-based Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi for questioning over his comments about the activities of bandits.
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While the release of the schoolchildren has been hailed, Bishop Kukah is troubled by the recurring incidents of school abductions and expresses apprehension about the psychological impact such kidnappings may have on the children.
He advocates for increased collaboration between security agencies and individuals possessing pertinent insights, echoing the government’s capacity to apprehend those responsible for such crimes.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has declared that security agents have summoned influential Kaduna-based Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi for questioning regarding his statements concerning the activities of bandits.
“The security agencies are up and doing. Sheikh Gumi or any other person is not above the law. If he suggestions 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,” Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris told State House Correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja on Monday.
Kuka noted that everyone is subject to the law in this matter. They acknowledged that the individual in question had been in the custody of security agencies to provide answers. Additionally, they highlighted that when statements are made that relate to national security, it becomes the responsibility of security agencies to conduct deeper investigations.
“There is nobody that is above the law in this regard. And I am aware he has been a guest of security agencies to answer questions. When you make remarks that border on our national security, it is incumbent on the security agencies to dig further,” the cleric concluded.