Gumi Criticizes FG's List Of Terrorist Financiers, Claims That Kidnappers Profit From Ransom
Sheik Ahmad Gumi, a Muslim cleric residing in Kaduna, has taken issue with the Federal Government of Nigeria's newly disclosed list of individuals connected to the financing of terrorism within the nation.
Remember that the Federal Government had discovered the identities of fifteen organizations and nine individuals—among them six operators and enterprises of Bureau De Change—that were purportedly involved in financing terrorism.
The paper listed Tukur Mamu, a publisher headquartered in Kaduna and an associate of Gumi's, at the top. The Federal Government is now holding Mamu on suspicion of providing assistance to the terrorists who attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train in March 2022.
Mamu was involved in the financing of terrorism, according to a document released by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU). Mamu received and delivered ransom payments totaling more than $200,000 to support ISWAP terrorists in exchange for the release of hostages from the Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
He added, “No Nigerian will put his money into terrorism, we're beyond that. These people are financing themselves by taking our children for ransom.
“So, how can we say some people are financing terrorism because there is a misunderstanding between them?" the cleric said.
“Now they are looking for N1 billion for these children (kidnap victims) to be released. They (terrorists) financed themselves by kidnapping. I think it's rubbish to just frame your political opponents as financing terrorism.”
Mamu was involved in the financing of terrorism, according to a document released by the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU). Mamu received and delivered ransom payments totaling more than $200,000 to support ISWAP terrorists in exchange for the release of hostages from the Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
Gumi, however, criticized the list in response to the development, stating that the security services lacked the authority to designate anyone as a financier of terrorism.
The preacher asserted that no Nigerian would support terrorism and that the terrorists are funding their activities with money obtained from ransom payments given to the relatives of kidnapped victims.
Speaking on Manu, Gumi stated that the troubled publisher ought to face consequences if both a legal and public tribunal rule in his favor.
“Mamu's case is in the court. Let's wait to hear from the court. It's wrong to resort to media trial. Let's wait for the court to state if he is a financier or not. I think if he is acquitted, he has a strong case to make on libel.
“Who declares someone a terrorist financer? Is it the court of law or a security agency? The security agency has no right to declare anyone a terrorist financier. The case is already in court, so why are they judging him on the pages of the newspaper? Once a case is in court, you allow the court to decide,” he added.
Recently, Gumi made known his intention to negotiate with the terrorists who kidnapped roughly 287 students from Kuriga Government Secondary and LEA Primary Schools in Kaduna state's Chikun Local Government Area.
Having been given permission to negotiate by President Bola Tinubu, he disclosed this in an attempt to help secure the release of the kidnapped students.
The eminent Islamic scholar says that Tinubu must avoid making the same mistakes as previous President Muhammadu Buhari, who turned down attempts at communication with terrorists.
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