Government should direct CBN to pay N100m to kidnappers – Sheik Gumi

Sheik Ahmad Gumi, the controversial Islamic cleric has advised that government should not handle the threat by the kidnappers of students of Greenfield University, Kaduna with kid gloves.

Gumi, further advised that the government should direct the Central Bank of Nigeria to pay the N100m ransom being demanded by the kidnappers of the students.

You would recall that about 23 students and a member of staff of the Greenfield University Kaduna were abducted from the school on April 20, 2021.  The bandits had also killed five of the students in a turn of events.

You would also recall that recently, one of the bandits, Sani Jalingo, in an interview with the Hausa service of the Voice of America, demanded  N100m and 10 motorcycles for the students to be freed.

He had also threatened that the failure of the Kaduna State Government or families of the students to meet the demands would lead to the killing of the abductees.

In a new development, Shiek Gumi, has come out to say he needs the support of the Federal Government to rescue the students.

When asked if he was aware of the kidnap of the students of Greenfield University and the Federal College of Forestry, he said “As for the forestry students, we have been trying to see whether we can get some of the herdsmen’s contact so that they can release these people.

“We have also been trying our best but you know we have limitations, there are lots of obstacles on the way but the parents have been really consulting with us.”

On the Greenfield University students, the cleric said, “The issue of the Greenfield students is a little bit more complex.”

He further said, “There are two groups of bandits. We have the ordinary Fulani ethnic herdsmen and the religious elements, terrorists. That is why we have been telling the government to support us so that we can go in and bring the children out.”

“The issue is getting compounded because this element is coming in; Boko Haram is coming into the scene now. They are the ones that captured Greenfield students. It is not a question of sleeping. You have to act very fast.”

Gumi, reiterated that his efforts, which he believes has been yielding positive fruits, are not being appreciated by the Federal and state government.

He however said, “ The money they are asking for is too much; if I give you that money, you cannot run away with it. Nobody can run. So, why not give them the money, they release the boys and then we pursue them and get our money back and do what is necessary; it is simple logic.  So, bring the money from the central bank. How can they move that money? We should not be stupid.”

 “These people are getting infiltrated; Boko Haram is getting close and they don’t respect the clergy. I need support to get them inoculated against the infiltration of these ideologies, whether Boko Haram or Ansaru, whatever it is. We need to shield them because they are naïve. If there is too much pressure on them, and they see help from Boko Haram, who are richer and have more weapons, it is going to consume everybody.”

Parents of the kidnapped students are also calling on the Federal Government and corporate organizations to come to their aid to facilitate the release of the students.