Bishop Matthew Kukah is calling for the questioning of people who claim to have intimate relationships to bandits and urging the Federal Government to take quick action to address the insecurity that is devastating the country’s northern areas.
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto stated this during an interview with Channels Television on the sidelines of a ceremony in Rivers State.
He questioned the Federal Government’s failure to interrogate those alleging close ties to bandits.
“It is clear that the Federal Government at the highest level knows what is going on, at least the intelligence community has an idea,” the minister said on Tuesday.
There are prominent Nigerians who have publicly stated that they know more than the rest of us, and I believe it is the Federal Government’s responsibility to identify individuals who claim to know where the bandits are and those who are helping with them.”
His comment came a day after 137 pupils kidnapped in Kuriga, Kaduna State, were released by their captors.
While their freedom has been welcomed, Bishop Kukah is concerned about the recent wave of school kidnappings and the psychological impact on youngsters.
He wants increased collaboration between security services and those with knowledge of the situation, reinforcing the government’s ability to apprehend perpetrators of such crimes.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government says security personnel have summoned influential Kaduna-based Islamic preacher Ahmad Gumi for questioning regarding his comments about bandit activities.
“The security agencies are up and running. Sheikh Gumi, like every other person, is not above the law. If he makes suggestions that are constructive enough for the security agencies to consider, they will do so; however, if they believe he is making reckless statements, he will be reprimanded,” Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris told State House Correspondents following the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja on Monday.
Nobody is above the law in this sense. And I’m aware that he has been a guest of security agencies, answering inquiries. When you make remarks that threaten our national security, it is up to the security authorities to investigate further.