A prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has alleged that the only reason insecurity in the country won't end, is because some powerful individuals are benefiting from it, not minding the damage being done to the country.
Gumi while speaking with ARISE TV, said some top military officials want insecurity to continue because of the huge funds allocated for tackling it. But he's not the only one to make such allegation.
Last year, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. Obadiah Mailafia spoke on ‘Morning Crossfire’ programme on Nigeria Info Abuja 95. 1 FM, claiming one of North's Governors is the sponsor of Boko Haram.
He said, “Some of us also have our intelligence networks. I have met with some of the bandits; we have met with some of their high commanders – one or two who have repented – they have sat down with us not once, not twice.
“They told us that one of the northern governors is the commander of Boko Haram in Nigeria. Boko Haram and the bandits are one and the same. They have a sophisticated network. During this lockdown their planes were moving up and down as if there was no lockdown."
Gumi who also spoke on his recent trips to the forest to engage bandits on the need to embrace peace, said the bandits are ready to drop their arms, but it appears the military who obviously are acting under superior order, are 'not encouraging matters.'
He said, “The military is not encouraging matters at all because they are the beneficiaries of this insecurity.”
“The bandits are ready to drop their arms and return back to the fold if the federal government will accede to their simple demands such as building schools, hospitals and providing water.
“They (the bandits) are complaining mostly against the military killing innocent people. They resorted to buying arms. How did they get the arms? They resorted to kidnapping people which is an end result of these military actions.
“Look, they are ready to drop these arms and return back to the fold of the Nigerians just for simple things; schools, hospitals, water.
“And there is an allegation: the military don’t want this conflict to end because of the billions of Naira they claim for fighting insurgency. So the military is not cooperating.
“I praise the police and the Inspector-general of Police. I give him credit for assisting us to go and meet these people, but the military is not forthcoming, they are not cooperating, I don’t know why.”
Asked to react to the allegation, Brig Gen Mohammed Yerima, Spokesman of the Nigerian Army, said Gumi is entitled to his opinion.
“If a learned man, a respected Islamic scholar can say that, then it’s unfortunate. He is entitled to his opinion but all I can say is that we are sacrificing our lives to protect this nation. We are giving our best to the country.
“Does the Sheik have evidence to back up his claim? Can he prove it? This is unfortunate but that is his opinion and he is entitled to it,” he said.