Banditry: Nigerian Army tackles Sheikh Gumi
The Nigerian Army has cautioned controversial Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, not to drag the image of the Service to disrepute.
The Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima,
in a statement, warned the Islamic cleric and others to show restraint on the way to malign the image of the Nigerian Army saying;
“The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to a viral video-clip
showing the renowned and respected Islamic scholar,
Sheikh Ahmed Gumi alleging that non-Muslim soldiers were responsible for the attacks against bandits”.
“ Islamic scholar was seen telling the bandits
that the soldiers involved in most banditry attacks against them were non-Muslims”.
“While the Nigerian Army would not want to join issues with the respected Sheik Ahmed Gumi,
it is important to restate that the Nigerian Army as a national institution does not deploy its troops along ethnic or religious lines.
“Therefore Sheikh Ahmed Gumi and other opinion merchants are please
enjoined to exercise restraint not to drag the image
and reputation of one of the most reliable national institutions to disrepute”.
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It added: “The Nigerian Army remains the pride of the nation and has continually defended the territorial integrity of this great nation.
“Furthermore, most operations conducted by the Nigerian Army, code of conduct
and respect for the fundamental human rights of the citizenry without any exception.
“therefore, disturbing that an opinion leader would deliberately want to disparage the Nigeria Army to portray it in a bad light.
“The Nigerian Army wishes to seize this opportunity to advise opinion leaders to be more courteous
“What our troops need now is public support to discharge their
responsibility effectively and in the most professional manner”.
(The Nation)