Yusuf Bello| Renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Abubakar Gumi, on Friday urged the Federal Government to give bandits willing to make peace ‘blanket amnesty’ as a way of resolving the rising insecurity across the country, especially in the north west.
The Islamic scholar who visited the camp of some bandits in Niger state, was giving updates on the demands of the bandits in Minna, the state capital.
According to him, some of the complaints of the bandits are that they were being killed and maimed unjustly.
“The Federal government should give them blanket amnesty, then if somebody continues, then we will deal with them.” Sheik Gumi.
“The outcome (of his visit) is very positive. We have many factions and each faction is saying I have complaints and grievances – we are persecuted, we are arrested, we are lynched -,” the cleric said, quoting the bandits.
The Sheik who disclosed that there is a positive response from the bandit holding the Kagara school students and their staff captive, did not, however, state if the students have been released.
Gunmen in the early hours of Wednesday gained access to Government Science College, Kagara, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State and abducted scores of students, teachers, and many others.
The school principal who escaped from the attack confirmed that the gunmen came in military uniform and shot sporadically into the air.
According to him, the operation started from the staff quarters where they abducted members of staff including a couple before they gained access to the students’ hostels.
One student was killed by the bandits during the attack.
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