The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has expressed dissatisfaction with the Coalition for Peace in Nigeria (COPIN) over a statement allegedly issued by Mr Emeka Akwuobi, calling for the arrest and prosecution of Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmed Abubakar Gumi.
The group had accused Gumi of working with bandits in the North.
The National President, Northern Youth Council of Nigeria, Isah Abubakar, in a statement issued on Thursday in Kaduna, explained that COPIN should note that Sheikh Gumi’s interference was borne out of his desire to see his region and people enjoy security, peace and to protect human dignity in Northern Nigeria.
The statement argued that “Where bandits have taken over and have institutionalized authorities, to find a lasting solution to the activities of bandits in the region, the involvement of Gumi at the time was not with any bad intentions but rather to salvage our nation.”
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The statement added, “Gumi’s call for amnesty was part of alternative dispute resolution mechanism that has worked for other parts of the region and the world, he felt the same can be applied to discontinue the activities of bandits/terrorists in the North and North West, moreover, Gumi was not the first that called for such move, the Governor of Katsina and Zamfara have equally called for Amnesty for bandits at different times.”
Abu Bakar noted that the call by Akwuobi and his group could instigate a religious crisis in the country. It also accused Akwuobi of working for some elements.
The statement observed that the youths of Northern Nigeria remain resolute and supportive of every model that would be explored to bring an end to insecurity but added that it would not tolerate any form of instigation against their leaders, especially the religious leaders.
The statement explained that it appreciated the effort of all security agencies to see that their region and highways return to normalcy for the safety of travellers and community inhabitants and promised security agencies of their support at all times.
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