The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) cautioned the Federal Government against heeding Sheikh Ahmad Gumi’s persistent calls for dialogues with terrorists and bandits.Â
HURIWA urged President Bola Tinubu to firmly reject the continuous demands for terrorists to be pardoned or bribed, akin to the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) in the Niger Delta region.
HURIWA, through its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, released a statement denouncing the Kaduna-based Islamic scholar’s suggestions as unconstitutional, illegal, and highly condemnable.
They argued that while the PAP for Niger Delta militants was justified due to environmental degradation, there was no valid reason for extending such a program to Fulani terrorists.
The group questioned Gumi’s rationale behind proposing amnesty for Fulani terrorists, pointing out the lack of legitimate grievances compared to the Niger Delta militants.
They labeled Gumi’s proposal as fallacious, untenable, and criminal, emphasizing the absurdity of funding such a program with oil revenues from the Niger Delta.
Furthermore, HURIWA criticized Gumi for allegedly sympathizing with terrorists and failing to outrightly condemn the violent actions of armed Fulani militiamen in the North West.
They accused Gumi of consistently advocating for terrorists’ causes through media appearances over the past decade.
HURIWA highlighted contradictions in Gumi’s statements regarding the accessibility of terrorists and questioned his credibility.
They referenced Gumi’s remarks following the abduction of over 280 schoolchildren and staff in Kaduna, where he advocated for a non-violent approach to rescue efforts.
HURIWA firmly opposed Gumi’s advocacy for dialogue with terrorists, condemned his alleged sympathies towards them, and questioned the feasibility of his proposed non-kinetic approach to addressing terrorism.
