Ex-intelligence officer insists ransom was paid…
By Ola Kay
Nigeria’s Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris who briefed State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meeting on Monday evening says that the Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi has been invited for interrogation by security agencies over comments he made on the activities of terrorists.
In relation to this, Idris stated that no individual is above the law and if found guilty, Gumi will be reprimanded.
Recall that, last week, the Islamic cleric stirred the hornet’s nest with security agencies when he said they have no right to declare any Nigerian a terror financier. Gumi’s reaction followed a recent list (made public) by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, declaring his close associate, a Kaduna-based publisher, Tukur Mamu, and 14 others as sponsors of terrorism.
“The minister said: “The security agencies are up and doing.
“Sheikh Gumi or any other person is not above the law. If his suggestions that are constructive enough for the security agencies to take, they will take but if they think that he is also making some statements that appeared to be reckless, he will also be reprimanded.
“There is nobody that is above the law in this regard. And I am aware he has been a guest of security agencies to answer questions. When you make remarks that border on our national security, it is incumbent on the security agencies to dig further.”
Idris told the State House correspondents unequivocally that no ransom was paid to secure the release of all the 137 schoolchildren abducted on March 7, 2024 from the Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, sacked by bandits.
The minister of information said that, rather,concerted efforts of security agencies in the country made the release of the school pupils possible.
Continuing, the minister said that, “President Bola Tinubu is determined to end this cycle of payment of ransom to kidnappers. The government believes that this continues to encourage these kidnappers, these criminal elements to perpetrate this act within the Nigerian nation and it is the official position of government as announced here last week that ransom will not be tolerated. Ransom will not be encouraged ransom will not be paid by the government.”
But, Cdre. Kunle Olawunmi Rtd, Former Commandant Defence Intelligence College, Abuja has insisted that ransom was paid to secure the release of the pupils.
Olawunmi who appeared as a guest on Arise News interview programme on Monday stressed that, “Federal Government should take me on the fact that ransom was paid to secure the release of schoolchildren.”
The governor of Kaduna State, Uba Sani had on Sunday said Gumi was not involved in the safe return of abducted Kuriga pupils, though the cleric had offered to negotiate with bandits for the release of the pupils.
He described as speculations comments talks in some quarters that ransom was paid.
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