A Kaduna State-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has volunteered to help President Bola Tinubu negotiate with bandits for the release of 287 abducted schoolchildren.

He added that it was his religious duty to pursue peace with bandits. 

Mr Gumi, in an interview with Leadership Newspaper on Tuesday, volunteered to facilitate negotiations with bandits for the release of abducted 287 Kuriga schoolchildren.

“I am ready to lead a holistic dialogue between the government and bandits. It is a religious duty for me to do so for peace,” Mr Gumi said.

The cleric added that he hoped that the Tinubu administration would listen to hold dialogue with the bandits because the past administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari refused to do so.

Mr Gumi said government dialogue with bandits should be holistic and not restricted only to secure the release of abducted schoolchildren.

“My advice is that the government should hold dialogue with the bandits not only for these Kuriga school children’ abduction but all the cases,’ ‘ Mr Gumi said. “Also, the government should use the same approach it used in releasing passengers that were abducted on Abuja – Kaduna train in 2022 to release the Kuriga schoolchildren and others.”

 Last week, bandits raided a government-owned school in Kuriga, Kaduna State, abducting 287 schoolchildren. The incident echoes the 2014 mass abduction of over 200 Chibok girls in Borno State by Boko Haram terrorists.

Mr Tinubu has condemned the abduction and ordered security agencies to rescue the abducted children.

Amnesty International also urged the Federal Government to ensure release of the abducted schoolchildren and berated the government for failing in its core duty to protect life and property.