A Kaduna-Based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, says top military
officials do not want terrorism to end because they are benefiting from huge funds allocated for tackling it.
Gumi said during an interview with a local television station on Friday.
The cleric has been visiting bandits in their enclaves across the North West and appeals to them to lay down their arms and embrace government amnesty.
21st Century Chronicle recalled that a former General Officer Commanding of 8 Division in Sokoto, Hakeem Okiti, was arrested and later demised from the Nigerian Army by a military court martial, for allegedly hauling cash meant for military operation, in July 2019.
Gumi said: “The military is not encouraging matters at all because they are the beneficiaries of this insecurity.”
“The bandits are ready to drop their arms and return back to the fold if the federal government will accede to their simple demands such as building schools, hospitals and providing water.
“They (the bandits) are complaining mostly against the military killing innocent people. They resorted to buying arms. How did they get the arms? They resorted to kidnapping people which is an end result of these military actions”.
“I praise the police and the Inspector-general of Police. I give him credit for assisting us to go and meet these people, but the military is not forthcoming, they are not cooperating, l don’t know why.”
Reacting to Gumi’s allegations, Nigerian Army spokesperson, Brig.-Gen Mohammed Yerima, said Gumi is entitled to his opinion.
“But all I can say is that we are sacrificing our lives to protect this nation. We are giving our best to the country,” he said.
