By Correspondent in Minna
As the Kaduna state-based reknown Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Mahmud Gumi continues his mediation with bandits for the release of the abducted Kagara Science College staff and students and others, Niger state government on Friday appealed to the bandits to lay their down their arms and embrace dialogue in adressing their grievances.
Governor Bello of Niger state
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, made the appeal while adressing the bandits and their Commanders at Dutsen Magaji forest in Mariga Local Givernment Council.
His appeal is contsined in a statement made available to journalists in Minna on Friday and signed by Lawal Tanko, Information Officer in SSG’s Office,
He insisted that only when the bandits lay down their arms for dialogue that reconciliation, peace and security coukd be achieved “for all in the state.”
The SSG, accompanied by Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, urged the Commanders of the bandits to support government’s efforts by releasing the abducted passengers of the Niger State Transport Authority (NSTA) and students of the Government Science College (GSC), Kagara.
This he said was necessary
in furtherance to peaceful dialogue between the two parties.
Matane described as ‘very unfortunate’ incidents in the past few days in the state, whereby almost 100 persons were being kidnapped by the bandits, a development the noted called for sober reflection on the true motives behind the action of the bandits.
The SSG called on other criminal elements, including kidnappers and cattle rustlers to have a change of heart and join in the peace dialogue, in order to put an end to the security challenges bedeviling Niger state over the years.
He specifically pleaded with the Commanders of the bandits operating in the state to support government by ensuring immediate release of the abducted passengers and the GSC, Kagara sstudents.
He assured the state government would continue to ensure the security of lives and property through strengthening of the security architecture of the state.
Matane, however, reminded the people of the need for them to collaborate with the present administration in the state, its determination to end all forms of criminality in the state.
He stressed the need for religious leaders and other key stakeholders to support the state government in getting the bandits, kidnappers and cattle rustlers to key into the peace initiatives of the state government.
Also in a remark, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi expressed optimism that with his intervention and dialogue with the bandits, “there is hope for peaceful resolution and release of the abducted passengers and students of GSC, Kagara.”
He also expressed the hope that his intervention would put a “permanent end” to the current security situation in Niger state and the entire country as well.
Sheikh Gumi, who reminded the bandits that lslam is against taking the lives of innocent people, appealed to them to embrace peace by laying down their arms.
The cleric assured the bandits of his preparedness to continue to discuss with the Niger state government about their demands with the intent of exploring whatever legitimate assistance and support for them to start life afresh.
Some of the commanders, in their separate comments, applauded Niger state government’s peace initiatives and appealed but appealed for the release of some of their members arrested and detained by security agencies across the state, for the peace to thrive.
Highlight of the occasion, according to Tanko, include the distribution of Islamic text Books to the bandits and their Commanders by the islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi to, ‘teach them the doctrine of Islam’.
Sheikh Gumi presenting Islamic books to the bandits during his meeting with them.