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Police, Government Officials Usually Accompany Me To Negotiate With Bandits — Sheikh Gumi

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Ahmad Gumi, a Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, stated that he has “never visited bandit hideouts without police and government officials accompanying” him.

In recent years, Gumi has gained attention for his remarks on bandit activities.

During an interview with PUNCH, Gumi urged the federal government to “address banditry’s root causes through peaceful resolution.”

“The federal government must look at the root cause of this problem and start to apply the right formula to solve it,” Gumi said.

He criticized the government’s approach, saying, “Spending trillions on ammunition and militarisation when the problem is social will yield no results, it will only compound the issue, leading people to become radicalised and turn to militancy.”

Gumi’s primary objective is to “facilitate a peaceful resolution with bandits” through dialogue during his visits to their hideouts.

He attributed his proactive approach to his military background, saying, “I am in the eye of the storm and I am a full-fledged Nigerian. I also have an interest in peace and tranquillity.”

He added, “I cannot wait for the official narrative because I have been in the army and I know how things go.”

“One thing Nigerians should understand is that I have never been to any den of these people without officials of the government. I go with the police because one cannot go alone; you must go with them.”

He explained that, “Only that they will tell you there is a perimeter—don’t come with some of them. Sometimes, I also go with traditional institutions and state government officials.”

Gumi emphasized that his “plan is only to broker peace with them,” stating, “They open their doors for us to sit and discuss issues.”

He argued that banditry is not politically driven but stems from centuries of neglect, saying exposure to education and the internet has made the bandits yearn for a better future for their children.

“No politician is sponsoring these people. We are all victims. The opposition is not even behind this. This is a natural reaction of people neglected for centuries,” Gumi said.

He further explained, “Now they are exposed to the world and they want education. These people are exposed to the internet and see how much they are deprived.”

“They want to fight back. This act is not orchestrated by anybody.”

“To our surprise, in a school built for herdsmen in a village between Abuja and Kaduna, over 600 of them, along with their families, have started schooling there.”

“They are telling us they don’t want their children to be like them. Imagine if we did that all around the country.”

BIG STORY

JUST IN: Oil Marketers Reduce Petrol Price By 11.8% To N939.50 Per Litre

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Oil marketers sourcing “Premium Motor Spirit”, “PMS”, also known as petrol, from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery have reduced the price by 11.8 percent to N939.50 per litre, down from N1,060 per litre.

As of Thursday, December 19, petrol was still being sold at N1,060 per litre in Lagos and surrounding areas.

However, by Friday, MRS, a leading marketer, along with others, had adjusted their prices, now selling at N939.50 per litre.

It’s worth noting that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery had earlier lowered the ex-pump price of petrol to N899.50 per litre, down from N970 per litre.

According to the refinery, this price reduction is intended to offer much-needed relief to Nigerians ahead of the holiday season.

Anthony Chiejina, the Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Group, made this announcement.

“To alleviate transport costs during this holiday season, Dangote Refinery is offering a holiday discount on “PMS” (“petrol”). From today, our petrol will be available at N899.50 per litre at our truck loading gantry or SPM,” Chiejina said.

‘‘Furthermore, for every litre purchased on a cash basis, consumers will have the opportunity to buy another litre on credit, backed by a bank guarantee from Access Bank, First Bank, or Zenith Bank.”

 

More to come…

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EFCC Allocates N18bn For Allowances, N5bn For Travels In Proposed 2025 Budget

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced plans to allocate N18 billion for allowances in 2025.

This figure is part of the proposed 2025 budget currently under consideration and awaiting approval by the national assembly.

As per the appropriation bill, the EFCC’s total budget for 2025 stands at approximately N62.2 billion.

This budget includes personnel costs (N38.6 billion), overheads (N20.9 billion), and capital expenditure (N2.2 billion).

Within the allowance budget, N1.7 billion is designated for “non-regular allowances,” while “regular allowances” are set at N16.7 billion.

Other proposed expenditures for the EFCC include welfare packages (N1.4 billion), fuel and lubricants (N2 billion), financial charges (N1.2 billion), construction and provision of office buildings (N1.1 billion), and maintenance services (N2.1 billion).

The EFCC also plans to allocate N4.9 billion for “local travel and transport,” with “international travel and transport” expected to cost N1.7 billion.

The proposed budget includes N800 million for the purchase of fixed assets.

On Wednesday, President Bola Tinubu unveiled the N49.7 trillion 2025 “Budget of Restoration: Securing Peace and Rebuilding Prosperity.”

In his address to the national assembly, Tinubu stated that it was time “we rewrite Nigeria’s narrative together.”

The primary focus of next year’s budget will be the defence, infrastructure, health, and education sectors.

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BREAKING: Court Grants Dele Farotimi N30m Bail In Defamation Case

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A magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti has granted N30 million bail to Dele Farotimi, the human rights activist.

Abayomi Adeosun, the magistrate, made the ruling on Farotimi’s bail application on Friday.

The bail conditions include two sureties, who must be responsible citizens in society, with the defendant required to leave his international passport with the court. Farotimi is also prohibited from granting media interviews during the pendency of the case.

The police had accused Farotimi of “criminally defaming” Afe Babalola, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), in a book titled: ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’.

 

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