Bandits Should Not Turn Kidnappings and Killings into a Business Venture – MURIC Says as It Commends Gumi

The President of the Muslim Rights Concern, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, has commended popular Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi for being a bridge stating that ‘Bandits should not turn kidnappings and killings into a business venture.’

Akintola stated on Wednesday that Gumi is putting his life at risk for Nigerians and should be appreciated while stressing that a ‘line of distinction should be drawn between asking bandits to embrace peace and negotiating with them by offering them ransom.’

Reacting to criticisms on Gumi, Akintola stated that those asking Gumi to lead security agents to the criminal’s hideout wanted to incriminate him.

Akintola said, “We should not blame Sheikh Gumi if he goes in there and talks to the bandits. He’s putting his life on the line and nobody should crucify him for that. However, he should not negotiate with them when it comes to money matters.

“Bandits should not turn kidnappings and killings into a business venture. Criminality is criminality. And that’s where I agree with the Nigerian government that we cannot negotiate with bandits. If they want to surrender, let them surrender and hand over their weapons.”

“The banditry as a phenomenon anywhere at all, especially in the Northern part of Nigeria is ugly, very unfortunate, but it is the fault of all of us. Having said that, I think there are two ways to it.

“I would not blame the government for refusing to negotiate with bandits. It is difficult to identify who is a bandit or who is not. And the more you negotiate with them and pay, the more they want more ransom. And the more they are given more ransom, the bolder and more vicious they become.

“If what Sheikh Gumi and the likes are doing is talking to them, deradicalising them, converting them to the true religion of Islam, I think he is doing a good job. But, when it comes to exchanging money or whatever, that’s where I don’t want to support negotiation.

“I support Sheikh Gumi if he’s deradicalising them. I also support the Nigerian government’s decision not to negotiate. When they kidnap people and you want to negotiate, they will come back for more.

“Anybody who suggests that he should lead military personnel to the bandits is trying to incriminate him. People may not know his intention. In Islam, there is a Hadith that says, ‘actions shall be judged by intentions.’ Unfortunately, the intention is always in the heart. It’s in the mind. It’s not open.”

“So, I’m saying he can take his dawah (invitation) to the bandits. He can talk to them, deradicalise them, and make them see the reality of life. Let them understand the depth of the suffering they are bringing to Nigerians.

“Sometimes, when you listen to these stories, you might even be surprised that some of them don’t know the extent of the crimes they commit. Many of the bandits have never been exposed to civilisation and they think they are seeking redress by hurting society. They see it as a kind of revenge.

“I am not referring to amnesty. When you surrender your weapons, you will go to your village and start working as an honest person, not that you will expect the government to give you something for stopping banditry.

“An ordinary petty thief in a Lagos market who has been picking pockets, the day he decides not to pickpockets again, he cannot go to the police or Lagos State Government and say ‘I have stopped picking pockets, so give me N500,000 to settle me.’ No! If they want to stop banditry, they should stop and go home. Nothing else.”

Source: Sahara Reporters

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