Banditry: Why We Can’t Comment On Gumi’s Allegation — Police

The Nigerian Police Force has said it will not comment on the
allegation of Sheik Ahmad Gumi that security operatives are working
with bandits.

The notable Islamic scholar made the allegation when he appeared
on ARISE TV on Wednesday morning.

While describing banditry as a business, the cleric said, “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.”

But when contacted, the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank
Mba, a Commissioner of Police, said he would not speak on Gumi’s
allegation till he gets the right context.

“I don’t have anything to say. I have been very busy. I can’t
speak on that matter. I have not studied what exactly the man said,
the context in which he said it. When I see the words “security
agents”, I don’t know whether he’s referring to the police. I can’t
say anything for now.”

Similarly, when contacted, Director of Nigerian Army Public
Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said a statement would be
issued on the allegations as soon as possible.

Banditry, cattle rustling and kidnapping have been ravaging the
country, especially the North West and North Central zones.

The Nigerian Police Force has said it will not comment on the
allegation of Sheik Ahmad Gumi that security operatives are working
with bandits.

The notable Islamic scholar made the allegation when he appeared
on ARISE TV on Wednesday morning.

While describing banditry as a business, the cleric said, “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.”

But when contacted, the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank
Mba, a Commissioner of Police, said he would not speak on Gumi’s
allegation till he gets the right context.

“I don’t have anything to say. I have been very busy. I can’t
speak on that matter. I have not studied what exactly the man said,
the context in which he said it. When I see the words “security
agents”, I don’t know whether he’s referring to the police. I can’t
say anything for now.”

Similarly, when contacted, Director of Nigerian Army Public
Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said a statement would be
issued on the allegations as soon as possible.

Banditry, cattle rustling and kidnapping have been ravaging the
country, especially the North West and North Central zones.