Popular Islamic Cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has said that his comments on Christian and Muslim soldiers was misinterpreted out of context “mischievously”.
Sheikh Gumi who made this clarification via a telephone call on AIT’s Kaakaki programme, refuted claims that he made any divisive comparison between Christian and Muslim soldiers, explaining that he only referred to them as “Muslims and non-Muslims”.
The Islamic Scholar who has been in the fore of negotiating with the bandits, however blamed the Nigerian Army for the activities of the bandits.
He suggested that there are fifth columnist in the ranks of the Army who are likely Christians, and are responsible for the genocide against the Fulani tribe as claimed by the bandits.
“The interpretation is misconstrued and the clip was quoted out of context mischievously. When I met the bandits, we gave them the chance to explain all their grievances.
“I am bringing the attention of Nigerians to two things. These herdsmen militants are fighting for their existence. They said they are ready to put their weapons on condition that the vigilantes will stop killing them. They are angry about the genocide that was committed against them from 2010 to 2015.
“I have to make them understand why they should drop their weapons and assure hem that the Army will take care of these fifth columnists,” he explained.
Gumi added that while speaking with the bandits, some of them mentioned the names of the soldiers who according to them, are non-Muslims.
He further revealed that latest information coming from the camp of the bandits that kidnapped school children in Kagara, Niger state, is that the bandits have vowed not to stop the kidnappings.
“Fulanis are the actual victims of military excesses. A soldier confirmed to me that he saw more than 300 civilian men, women and children that were killed in the genocide,” Gumi added.
