The Department of State Services (DSS) on Friday invited the Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi for questioning in connection with its “ongoing investigation.”
Spokesman for the agency, Mr. Peter Afunnaya who confirmed the development said the controversial cleric had since been released.
However, Afunnaya did not state the reason for Gumi’s invitation but told The Guardian rather evasively that “it’s not out of place for the Service to invite any person of interest.”
VOA Hausa Service had reported that the invitation came after a controversy between Gumi and the Nigerian Army.
Speaking on a television programme on Wednesday, June 23, Gumi had alleged that security agents played a role in the insecurity plaguing Nigeria by collaborating with the bandits who engage in killing and kidnapping for ransom.
“These bandits, if you don’t know, are cooperating with a lot of bad elements in our security system. This is a business. So many people are involved, you’ll be so surprised.
“They were caught in Zamfara; they were caught everywhere, how do these big weapons cross our borders? How can these big weapons cross our borders and get into the forest without the cooperation of some bad element of the security operatives assisting them? It’s not possible. If I give you the same amount of guns can you take it to the UK? You can’t because the security is alert,” he alleged.
The Nigerian Army responded to Gumi’s allegation in a statement, saying, “It is essential to remind ourselves that this same military, being accused of connivance, are the ones who recently put their lives on the line to rescue abductees of the Government Secondary School, Birnin Yauri from kidnappers,” explained the army.
“While the NA will not attempt to excuse the possibility of black sheep amongst its fold, it must be stated unambiguously that it will not condone any form of sabotage or aiding and assisting the enemy by any personnel.”
The army insisted that its soldiers always adhered to rules of engagement and protection of fundamental human rights.
It would also be recalled that Gumi has been romancing bandits who kill, maim and kidnap persons, including toddlers, for huge ransom.
On several occasions, the cleric who has been the unofficial spokesman for the criminals asked the federal government to grant amnesty to the marauders as it did for the Niger Delta agitators.
At another time, he alleged that the security agencies know where the bandits hide or live.
