Gumi knocks FG over kidnapped train passengers

Northern Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has said that Nigerian leaders are turning the citizens to criminals through oppression.

During an inter-faith special prayer session organised for the 62 train abducted passengers, at the headquarters of Jamiyar Matan Arewa (JMA) in Kaduna, yesterday, the cleric said: “Leaders are busy seeking political offices ahead of 2023 and have so far raised N25 billion, while 62 Nigerians are being held captive. I have not heard of any leader raising money to free any kidnapped victim or the 62 passengers.”

According to Gumi, the citizens are watching the oppression in the country and it is a bad omen.

His words: “I have been in the forefront of trying to resolve these things. Initially, the issue was socio-economic; but it is taking a religious dimension due to the negligence of the government.

“Can’t they raise money too to free these Nigerians, including the 85-year-old woman? Please whatever the bandits or terrorists want from government should be given to them in the interest of Nigerians because their continued captivity is not in our interest.”

Gumi urged the affected families to relax and wait for God’s intervention, stressing: “Very soon, they will be set free because the prayers of Nigerians will be answered.”

Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna chapter, Rev. Joseph Hayab, said that everybody is in pains due to the kidnap.

He was optimistic that “Jesus will rescue the 62 passengers because God will touch the hearts of those keeping them.”

Earlier, the President of JMA, Rabi Saulawa, disclosed that the inter-faith prayer was held to seek God’s intervention.

He noted: “We have all sinned before God and the time has come for us to repent.”