…Says Sheikh Ahmed Gumi questioned by security agents
By Abdullahi Mohammed, Abuja
The federal government said Monday that no ransom was paid to secure the release of the Kuriga school children abducted by bandits a couple days ago.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation Mr Mohammed Idris said this while briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa.
“The Council was briefed on the School of children Kuriga Kaduna State, and Sokoto. Mr President and members of council were happy to note that as promised by Mr. President, these children were reunited or had been rescued from these captors and as usual and in keeping with the commitment of Mr. President no ransom was paid.
“The Federal Executive Council and Mr. President are very grateful to especially the National Security Adviser, the service chiefs and all security agents who participated diligently in ensuring that this kidnapped children are reunited with their families.
“Government is determined to ensure that the lives and property of all Nigerians are protected at all times and Mr. President has also charged security agencies to ensure that these kidnappings are brought to a halt finally in this country.
“Indeed, all those who are participating in this criminal act will be fished out by the security agencies and will never go unpunished,” he said.
The minister said the Kaduna-based Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmed Gumi was questioned by security agents over his comments in respect of the kidnapped school children.
“Government will stop at nothing to get any kind of information that is required to solve our problems the security agencies are up and doing.
“Sheik Gumi or any other individuals are not above the law, if he has suggestions that are good enough and that are constructive enough for the security agencies to take, they will take but if they think that he is also making some statements that appear to be reckless, he will also be reprimanded.
“There is nobody that is above the law. Let me put it here. And I’m aware that he has been also a guest of security agencies to answer questions.
“When you make remarks especially remarks that borders on our national security it is incumbent on our national security to think further and they are doing just that, no one is above the law,” he said.