The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Rev. Fr. Matthew Kukah, has called on the Tinubu-led government to interrogate persons who claim to have close ties with armed bandits.
Speaking during an interview with Channels Television on the sidelines of the convocation of Madonna University at the weekend Bishop Kukah queried the Federal Government’s lack of interrogation of individuals claiming close ties 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. 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 bandits.” He added.
Kukah”s comment is coming few days after the release of 137 schoolchildren abducted in Kuriga, Kaduna State.
While calling for more collaborations between security agencies and individuals with knowledge of the situation, Bishop Kukah who expressed concern with the worsening rate of school kidnappings across schools in the country, stressed that the abduction could have psychological impact on the children.
Meanwhile, days after his comment, the Federal Government said security operatives had invited influential Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi for questioning over his comments about the activities of bandits.
Addressing State House Correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja on Monday 25th March Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris noted that: “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.
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.”
