BY RIMI ALIU
ISLAMIC scholar, Sheik Ahmad Gumi, has reportedly held a reconciliation meeting with leaders of bandit groups in Niger State.
His meeting with them followed the abduction, on Wednesday, of students and staff of Government Science College, Kagara, Niger State.
The bandits were said to have listed their demands through Gumi during his visit to the Tagina forest.
He reportedly met with the bandits’ leader, Dogo Gide, and his men on Thursday.
It was however learnt that the bandits did not allow anyone to record their conversations.
Recall that many Nigerians had, last week, criticised Gumi for seeking amnesty for the bandits terrorising the different parts of Northern Nigeria.
He had, in a recent interview with BBC Hausa, indicted the Military in the violence in the region, claiming that the bandits he met were willing to surrender their arms.
Forty-two persons, including 27 students, three staff, and others, were abducted at the Government Science College, Kagara, in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State on Wednesday, the state government confirmed.
Twelve of those who were abducted were said to be family members of the school’s staff.
A total of 650 students are on the enrollment list of the school, according to the authorities.
