Rights Group Demands Cleric's Arrest Over Terrorist Links
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has made a strong call for the immediate arrest and prosecution of prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi. The civil rights organization accuses the Kaduna-based religious leader of providing intellectual support to terrorists operating in Nigeria's North-West region.
In a strongly worded statement released by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, HURIWA condemned what it described as the Federal Government's selective application of counter-terrorism laws. The group highlighted the apparent contradiction in the government's approach to security matters.
Double Standards in Terrorism Prosecution
HURIWA pointed to the ongoing detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who has been held for ten years over his advocacy for self-determination in Nigeria's Igbo-speaking region. Meanwhile, the rights group noted that Sheikh Gumi continues to operate freely despite his alleged support for terrorist elements.
The organization accused the cleric of polluting the media space by consistently advocating for amnesty for mass murderers and terrorists. HURIWA reminded President Bola Tinubu that Nigeria has comprehensive counter-terrorism provisions in its domestic laws that should be applied uniformly.
Legal Framework Against Terrorism
The group specifically referenced Section 1(3) of the Terrorism Prevention Act of 2022, which defines acts of terrorism as those willfully performed with ideological intentions that could seriously harm a country or intimidate populations. The legal provisions cover various actions including attacks causing grievous bodily harm, kidnapping, destruction of government facilities, and damage to critical infrastructure.
HURIWA also expressed concern about alleged funding of protests in Northern Nigeria by some state governments. These demonstrations have rejected military assistance offers from United States President Donald Trump against terrorists responsible for numerous deaths, predominantly among Christian communities.
The rights group suggested that allowing such protests to continue indicates that some prominent politicians might actually be sponsors of terrorism. HURIWA called on the Department of State Services and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate those funding terrorists who are now organizing public protests against US intervention.
Controversial Comparisons and Security Implications
Sheikh Gumi had drawn controversial parallels between bandits and IPOB members, accusing the latter of rejecting dialogue and pursuing secession. "It's unlike the others like IPOB. The government has been trying to dialogue with them; they still refuse. They are still behind creating a separate state. They are secessionists. Besides being terrorists, they are secessionists. Well, these people (bandits) are not secessionists. They want peace," Gumi stated.
HURIWA endorsed earlier calls for Gumi's arrest made by Prophet Isa El-Buba of El-Buba Outreach Ministries. The prophet had claimed that apprehending the Islamic cleric would enable the Nigerian government to resolve the country's security challenges within a week, citing Gumi's alleged connections to bandits.
The organization emphasized that constitutional provisions guaranteeing fundamental human rights do not protect the public advocacy of terrorist positions. HURIWA also questioned why some Nigerians were interpreting President Trump's threats to bomb terrorists as threats against Nigeria itself, suggesting this misinterpretation might indicate deeper connections between terrorist sponsors and government narratives.
