Sheikh Gumi would have been arrested in a sane world - NUJ replies

The Nigeria Union of Journalists has condemned in the strongest of terms the remarks made by Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Mahmud Gumi on Arise TV on Wednesday, February 24, where he labeled Journalists as criminals for calling bandits criminals.

The Sheik during his interview with Arise TV said: "You are emphasizing on criminality, I don’t know. Even the Press (journalists) are criminals too because they are putting oil into fire [sic]. These people are listening to you, don’t address them as criminals”. It is instructive to note that one of the gangs that were recently interviewed by Nigerian journalist, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, and published in Daily Trust of today where the bandit leader insisted on being introduced properly as “Kachalla Halilu Sububu Seno, Leader of all Terrorists. He is the Leader.” Yet Malam Gumi insists they are not criminals.''

In a statement released by its president Chris Isiguzo, the NUJ said Sheik Gumi's comment makes it clearer that he is pursuing a different agenda. The body said in saner climes, the cleric who has decided to embark on ''strange errands'' should have been behind bars by now over his recent utterances about bandits.

The statement in part reads:

"This unnecessary and unprovoked attack on members of the media by a hitherto respected cleric who decided to embark on strange errands, is unacceptable and it is becoming clearer now that he is pursuing a different agenda. We equally recall a recent statement credited to Sheik Gumi where he was inciting bandits, by encouraging religious biases among soldiers on the battlefield.

We are more shocked that the same Sheik Gumi who has used the media to speak to leaders and to advance the course of his mission to the bandits across the Northwest, is at the same time attacking the Journalists for simply describing bandits as criminals.

Sheik Gumi’s attempts to seek amnesty for killers and abductors of innocent citizens, especially school children is most unfortunate.

We invite Sheik Gumi to explain to Nigerians why despite his recent negotiations with bandits in Zamfara State, the criminals have continued maiming, killing, molesting and kidnapping innocent citizens, including the 300 female Students just abducted in the same State.

In saner climes, Sheikh Gumi, a non-state actor involved in negotiations with criminal elements, should have been behind bars, but alas, thanks to the weaknesses of our Leaders, he continues with his reckless comments and forays into bandit territory unabated.

By insulting the Press as “Criminals” Sheikh Gumi has exposed himself the more as an intolerant person who will not want his activities closely scrutinized by the media. It is instructive to remind Sheik Gumi that by embarking on such an errand and choosing to speak for the bandits, the Press will continue to scrutinize his activities and also hold him accountable for his actions as enshrined in the Constitution.

His reaction was totally unacceptable, dishonorable and reprehensible and we demand a retraction of his untoward, irritating, and awkward utterances which negate simple decorum and civility. We, therefore, caution him to remember that “riding the tiger might be an exhilarating experience but the consequence are bound to be unpleasant.” He should thus be guided.

We equally invite the global community to document the utterances and actions of Sheik Gumi and to hold him to account for any bandit-related mishap that may happen to Journalists around the country."