The Nigerian Army has called on popular Islamic Scholar Sheik Ahmed Gumi to exercise caution in his opinion regarding how troops are deployed and other issues pertaining to national security.
The warning follows a video that had Sheik Gumi telling bandits that non-Muslim soldiers were the ones killing them and that troops are deployed along ethnic and religious lines.
A statement signed by Director, Army Public Relations, Mohammed Yerima, titled, “NIGERIAN ARMY DOES NOT DEPLOY ITS TROOPS ALONG ETHNIC OR RELIGIOUS LINES“,described Gumi’s utterances as capable of dragging the image and reputation of one of the most reliable national institutions to disrepute.
It reads, “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. In the video clip, the Islamic scholar was seen telling the bandits that the soldiers involved in most attacks against them were non-Muslims. He further stated that they should be aware that soldiers are divided into Muslims and non-Muslims.
“While the Nigerian Army would not want to join issues with the respected Sheik Ahmed Gumi, it is, however, important to restate that the Nigerian Army as 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.
“The Nigerian Army remains the pride of the nation and has continually defended the territorial integrity of this great nation. Comments suggesting to mudslide the image and reputation of the Nigerian Army are not only inimical but tended towards creating bad blood amongst Nigerians.
“Furthermore, most operations conducted by the Nigerian Army were done in strict adherence to rules of engagement, code of conduct and respect for the fundamental human rights of the citizenry without any exception. It is therefore, disturbing that an opinion leader would deliberately want to disparage the Nigeria Army to portray it in bad light.
“The Nigerian Army wishes to seize this opportunity to advise opinion leaders to be more courteous while expressing their views, taking into cognisance the imperative for national security, particularly at this difficulttimes when our gallant troops have redoubled their efforts to tackle the myriads of security challenges facing our dear nation. What our troops need now is public support to discharge their responsibility effectively and in the most professional manner.”
Meanwhile, the controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has reacted to the warning directed at him by the Nigerian Army.
Speaking with newsmen, Gumi described the Nigerian Army’s statement as a caution, and not a warning.
It would be recalled that the Nigerian Army had warned Gumi and other “opinion merchants” in Nigeria against their utterances.
The Army had said it does not deploy troops along religious or ethnic lines, contrary to Gumi’s statements to bandits that Christian soldiers were responsible for their deaths.
A statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Mohammed Yerima, warned Nigerians to desist from making remarks capable of creating bad blood.
The warning was issued following remarks credited to Gumi alleging that Christian soldiers were specifically attacking bandits in the North.
However, Gumi stressed that he was misunderstood.
According to Gumi: “One, I did not see it as a warning but a word of caution, I was misunderstood.”
Lately, Gumi has been negotiating with armed bandits terrorizing some states in the North.
The Islamic cleric had urged the Federal Government to grant amnesty to bandits willing to lay down their arms.