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‘𝗜 𝗹𝗲𝗱 600 𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿’, 𝗚𝘂𝗺𝗶 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗴𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲

Published

3 weeks ago

November 16, 2025

Popular Islamic cleric, Sheikh Gumi, has lashed out at those calling for his arrest over his continued commentary on banditry and national security.

The Islamic cleric has for years positioned himself as an intermediary between the government and bandit groups, a role that has drawn both support and condemnation from the public.

Some of his critics have accused him of shielding bandits and terrorists by asking the government to negotiate with them instead of resorting to full force.

In a statement shared via Facebook on Sunday, the cleric defended his dealings with the gunmen, describing his opponents as “spineless, irresponsible and unpatriotic imbecilic people” who prefer outrage to truth.

Gumi condemned the rising calls for his arrest, insisting that he has committed no crime by engaging with bandits in an attempt to secure peace.

He said the loudest voices demanding that he be picked up by security agencies are driven by bigotry, ignorance and intolerance for differing viewpoints.

“ARREST HIM!!! These are the only words some spineless, irresponsible and unpatriotic imbecilic people can utter,” he wrote, arguing that his critics have chosen to politicise his peace efforts rather than reflect on Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Gumi recalled a major intervention he led in January 2021 in Sabon Garin Yadi forest, Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

According to him, he was escorted by the then Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, who represented the Inspector-General of Police on the mission.

He said the meeting, attended by more than 600 armed bandits and their commanders, was part of a broader peace initiative aimed at persuading criminal elements to surrender their weapons, embrace dialogue and stop attacks on local communities.

“I was at Sabon Garin Yadi forest, accompanied by the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police… This meeting was part of a peace initiative where we preached to over 600 bandits and their commanders, who agreed to lay down their arms in exchange for security and basic amenities,” he said.

The cleric insisted that the negotiation was transparent, legitimate and conducted with the approval and knowledge of the authorities.

He stressed that the conditions presented by the bandits, provision of basic amenities, protection from arbitrary arrests and assurances of safety, were never honoured by the government, leading to the collapse of the peace window.

He expressed frustration that instead of interrogating why the authorities failed to implement agreed conditions, some Nigerians prefer to target him personally.

“The purpose of the meeting was an effort to de-escalate violence by having bandits surrender their weapons and embrace peace.

“The outcome was that over 600 bandits agreed to lay down their arms. They presented conditions to the government… None fulfilled”, he said.

Gumi questioned why his mediation efforts, which he said were undertaken in the national interest, should provoke calls for his arrest.

“So, what is there to arrest for? For calling them to lay arms or amenities for them, or to educate the nation on their side of the story?” he asked.

He further ridiculed what he described as the hypocrisy of his detractors, insisting that free speech remains a constitutional right and that differing opinions must not be criminalised.

“Is free speech no longer part of our constitutional right? Is their call for arrest not also prejudiced and an incitement to more violence?” he queried.

The cleric urged Nigerians to rise above what he called emotional reactions and consider practical approaches to ending the banditry crisis, warning that hate-driven narratives only worsen insecurity.

According to him, silencing voices that advocate dialogue does nothing to address the deep-rooted socioeconomic and security failures fueling insurgency and rural banditry.

Gumi concluded with a prayer for national unity, describing bigotry and intolerance as major threats to peace.

“May Allah protect our nation from bigotry, stubborn and complete intolerance of contrary views and opinions,” he wrote.

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PHOTOS: Police demote officer for unauthorised VIP escort duty

Published

4 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

The Nigeria Police Force has demoted a corporal to the rank of constable for engaging in unauthorised VIP escort duties, in violation of directives issued by the Inspector-General of Police and President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the force disclosed that CPL Suleiman Musa (F/No: 517077), attached to 45 PMF, was found escorting a VIP without the required clearance. His action was deemed a breach of the strict enforcement measures put in place to end the indiscriminate deployment of police personnel for such assignments.

According to the statement, the disciplinary action serves as a warning to other officers and reinforces the need for full compliance with operational guidelines.

The force also noted that the incident raises questions about how the unauthorised assignment came about and whether the officer acted alone.

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PHOTOS: Father, son, three others d!e in Kano well collapse and fire incident

Published

4 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Tragedy struck across three local government areas of Kano State as five people, including a 10-year-old girl, lost their lives in separate incidents involving a well collapse, a fall into a well, and a house fire.

The spokesperson of the Kano State Fire Service, Saminu Abdullahi, confirmed the incidents in a statement issued on Saturday, December 6, 2025.

The first incident occurred in Badume Kanawa Village, Bichi Local Government Area, where three people d!ed while attempting to re-dig a well.

According to Abdullahi, the rope supporting one of the victims, identified as Sa’idu Gada, 65, snapped while he was working inside the well.

In a desperate attempt to save him, his son, Sani Isyaku, 20, entered the well but also became trapped. A third man, Yakubu Abdullahi, 60, followed with the hope of rescuing both, but he too was unable to make it out.

Fire Service personnel rescued the trio in an unconscious state, but they were later confirmed d3ad.

Their remains were handed over to DSP Kabiru Iliyasu of the Badume Police Division.

In another incident in Danbatta Local Government Area, a 10-year-old boy, Hassan Iliyasu Haruna, fell into a well and d!ed before help could reach him.

The third tragedy occurred in Badawa Layin Day in Nassarawa Local Government Area, where a 10-year-old girl d!ed in a house fire on Thursday, December 4, 2025.

Fire Service officials said the blaze engulfed a section of a residential building, destroying two bedrooms. The girl was rescued unconscious but was later confirmed d3ad.

Speaking on the incidents, the Director of the Fire Service, Sani Anas, urged residents to avoid entering wells during emergencies, warning that such actions often result in additional casualties rather than successful rescues.

He advised the public to immediately call emergency responders when accidents occur, stressing that trained personnel are better equipped to handle such situations safely.

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PHOTOS: Troops rescue 14 kidnapped victims in Benue forest

Published

4 hours ago

December 7, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Nigerian Army troops of Joint Task Force Sector One, Operation Udo Ka (OPUK), in collaboration with the Neighbourhood Watch, have rescued 14 kidnapped victims during a coordinated operation at Orokam Forest, a border area linking Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State and Ogbadigbo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The operation was conducted on Friday at about 1:30 p.m., following credible intelligence from locals indicating the presence of a suspected kidnappers’ hideout in the forest.

Troops deployed in Udenu LGA swiftly mobilised to the location alongside vigilante personnel of the Neighbourhood Watch.

While approaching the hideout, the criminals opened fire on the troops. The joint team responded with a high volume of fire, forcing the kidnappers to flee in disarray and abandon the kidnapped victims.

14 abducted persons, who were returning from a burial ceremony over the weekend before being kidnapped, were rescued unhurt.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the victims were abducted from two separate communities Ezimo Agu in Udenu LGA, Enugu State, and Orokam in Ogbadigbo LGA, Benue State.

The victims were subsequently handed over to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Udenu Division, for onward reunification with their families.

The troops expended 70 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition during the engagement and returned to base at about 7:21 p.m. without any incident.

Troops had intensified monitoring of the general area to deny criminal elements freedom of action.