Nation
Probe Sheikh Gumi Over Inciting Comments On Bandits, SOKAPU Insists
The spokesman of the Southern Kaduna Peoples’ Union (SOKAPU), Mr Luka Binniyat, has strongly advocated for the arrest and prosecution of the influential Islamic preacher, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, for allegedly telling Fulani kidnappers that soldiers killing them are not Muslim soldiers.
He alleged that the Muslim cleric, in a recent video in a meeting with the suspected criminals, told them that when they (criminals) attack a community in vengeance, they should choose their targets well, telling them that a group recently kidnapped a group of travellers, and among them was a woman in the Islamic hijab carrying a small baby.
Binniyat questioned the integrity of the Islamic preacher, saying that Gumi’s attribution that “Such act dents the work of kidnappers, insinuates that the cleric is making himself like the spiritual leader of the bandits.”
He added, “We have always suspected that there was something that the Islamic cleric is doing with these people that we do not understand.”
The spokesman said in Kaduna that it was very unfortunate, condemnable and unacceptable under this government human beings were stolen daily like animals.
He noted that Niger and Kaduna states share a border in the West and East axis which form part of Kamuku forest, where the bandits are, describing it as the most dangerous and lawless forest, as the infamous Sambisa forest in the North-East.
Describing Sheikh Ahmad Gumi’s negotiation with the suspected Fulani kidnappers as curiously dubious, he said, “It is a disgraceful way of succumbing to the wiles and evil of a band of violent criminals who are more feared and respected by the state, not really because of their capacity for bloodletting, but because they are seen as kinsmen of the number one man of Nigeria. SOKAPU is totally against Sheikh Gumi in that project.
“Such wicked, heartless and unprincipled criminals must not be dignified in that matter. We have always suspected that there was something that the Islamic cleric is doing with these people that we do not understand.”
The spokesman wondered, “Why is the Islamic cleric not interested in justice and restitution for thousands of the surviving victims of their evil but the welfare and freedom of those who killed others?
”In Southern Kaduna, we have over 50,000 IDPs and over 100 communities that have been captured and occupied by these evil men that our people confirmed to be Fulani armed men. We have mass graves dotted all over our area as a result of their wickedness.
“Last year alone, our poor people paid nothing less than N1billion as ransom for the freedom of their abducted people. Why is the cleric not negotiating with relevant authorities for justice? His proposition is irrational and dumbfounding. SOKAPU wants Sheikh Gumi investigated for his role with these people.”
On amnesty for the suspected Fulani kidnappers, Binniyat observed that the kidnappers have killed, raped, received ransom, and have succeeded in displacing many communities from their ancestral lands, but in the case of the Niger Delta, he likened them “To the goose that laid the golden egg, yet, it is one of the most deprived, degraded and marginalised areas in Nigeria. The agitation for fairness and equity for Niger Delta region dates back to the fifties.
“Who does not know Adaka Boro? Who does not know the slain Ogoni freedom fighter, Ken Saro-Wiwa? The youth of the Niger Delta had a legitimate right to use violence to seek attention in the manner they did theirs. They kidnapped foreign oil workers to seek international attention. They didn’t kill them. They sabotaged oil pipelines to hurt the economy so that a deaf government will take them seriously.”
He explained that “the Niger Delta militants never invaded any community, talk of raping, killing, abducting citizens, and setting the communities ablaze. They were civilised in their approach of expressing their grievances to the concerned authorities, and the world agreed that they had a legitimate cause”.
The SOKAPU spokesman asked, “What are the Fulani armed men looking for? Even the Sultan of Sokoto has said that out of 10 bandits caught, between eight and seven are Fulani. In what ways have the Nigerian state and peaceful, vulnerable communities been against their interests? What is their contribution to the economy? Do you know how much harm they are doing to agriculture and chasing away investors from the Middle Belt and the North?
“What are their grievances? Why must they be so rewarded after such massive destruction of lives and property? Then, let all the armed robbers, rapists, arsonists and every criminal be forgiven and granted amnesty!”
On Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed’s comment that all forests belong to Nigerians, and as such, there was no need evicting any Fulani herdsman from Ondo State forest, Binniyat argued, “The Presidential Villa, Abuja, belongs to Nigerians, let the governor of Bauchi State go and tell his relatives to move there and live.
“The FCT and Bauchi State belong to Nigerians, why was he officially allocating land as the FCT minister and signing Certificates-Of-Occupancy when everyone could as well just occupy any space he wanted. When it comes bigotry and favouritism, sentiments becloud their reasoning”, he lamented.
Strategic regulators and other stakeholders have expressed satisfaction with the pace, quality and magnitude of work carried out by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) in Ogoniland, in line with the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
In their separate speeches at the 2025 4th quarter key regulators / asset owners meeting held in Port Harcourt, the strategic stakeholders commended HYPREP for the significant milestones achieved with excellent efficiency and transparency, demonstrating capacity and commitment to sustaining collaboration with development partners for the overall success of the Project.
The regulators particularly lauded HYPREP for the landmark success in the implementation of the land and shoreline remediation, mangrove restoration, provision of reticulated potable water, the various sustainable livelihood programmes, donation of ambulances to health facilities in Ogoni, the construction of Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, as well as the ongoing Ogoni Power Project, adding that their independent field reports have shown proofs of HYPREP driving even beyond its mandates.
The goodwill messages were made by representatives of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), Centre for Environment and Human Rights Development (CEHRD), Society for Women and Youths Affairs (SWAYA), Stakeholders Democracy Network (SDN), Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company (NPSC), and Federal Ministry of Environment. Others are the Rivers State Ministry of Environment, the Rivers State Ministry of Health, the National Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Rivers State Ministry of Power, the Rivers State University, the Rivers State Ministry of Water and Rural Development, and Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited.
Following the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit’s presentation on the status of HYPREP projects, participants offered feedback on areas of concern. They reassured HYPREP and the people of Ogoni of their continued support for the Project’s success. They also suggested that the quarterly review meeting be sustained as it enables them to report, evaluate and proffer solutions to areas of concern.
Participants also commended HYPREP for improved community and stakeholder engagement and for adding to what they saw the previous time. “We commend HYPREP for the quality work done at sites. The progress is phenomenal, because HYPREP is scoring good grades, above average,” Prof. Iyenemi Kakulu from Rivers State University said.
In his speech at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who was represented by Prof Damian-Paul Aguiyi, Director of Technical Services, commended the regulators and asset owners for their cooperation with the Project, and for making themselves available for fieldwork and the regular review meetings.
Prof Zabbey reiterated HYPREP’s commitment to best practice in waste management, particularly waste generation and disposal, calling on the Regulators for adequate logistics support, saying HYPREP’s priority is to focus on the core recommendations by UNEP, especially, remediation(soil, shoreline) mangrove restoration, provision of potable water, interventions in public health care services and sustainable livelihood for the people.
The Project Coordinator further highlighted the status of the Project, the successes achieved across all thematic areas, and assured that HYPREP will soon complete most of the ongoing projects and roll out others. He explained that the purpose of the meeting was to review the progress of the Ogoni cleanup, ensure quality control, and foster effective collaboration.
Consequently, the quarterly key regulators/asset owners meeting is HYPREP’s strategic stakeholder management model, further underscoring the Project’s commitment to transparency, partnership for development, and accountability, all of which are harbingers of effective project delivery.
Speaking to newsmen, HYPREP Project Support Lead and representative of Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited, Engr Ehioze Igbinomwanhia, described his involvement with HYPREPas an encouraging and insightful experience, saying, the Project is implementing a wide range of projects across Ogoniland, spanning immediate remediation works as well as livelihood support initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of affected communities.
Engr Igbinomwanhia emphasised that Renaissance Africa Energy remains fully committed to supporting the objectives of the Ogoni cleanup project, noting that the company has a long history of collaboration with HYPREP.
He added that the partnership has been characterised by continuous learning, adaptation and a willingness to respond to observations and recommendations aimed at improving outcomes.
He further emphasised the importance of safety in all project operations, particularly given the challenging terrain and operating conditions in Ogoniland.
He noted that safety is treated as a critical priority and that contractors are continually reminded to maintain high safety standards, stressing that lessons learnt from previous operational challenges like the collapse of the water tank in Gwara Community are being applied to strengthen safety practices and overall performance.
The Rivers state Government has identified six local government areas with the highest burden of maternal and Neonatal mortality in the state.
State Commissioner for Health Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh said this in an interview with newsmen at the Maternal and Neonatal Reduction innovation initiative ( Mamii)Rivers state activation workshop and state engagement meeting in Port Harcourt.
The event was organized by The Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with its Rivers state counterpart in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh also restated the preparedness of the state government to support current efforts by the federal government towards the reduction of maternal and infant mortalities in the country.
She mentioned the affected Local Government Areas to include, Andoni,Akuku Toru and Ahoada West
The rest according to the Commissioner are, Bonny, Etche and Emohua Local Government Areas.
She said the workshop will enable the team from the federal ministry of health and social welfare to brainstorm with the view to finding solution to the problem.
The Commissioner also gave reasons why the Mamii initiative was the best as far as finding solution to maternal mortality was concerned.
“The uniqueness of the Mamii initiative driven by the federal ministry of health and social welfare was that we used evidence to elicit the reasons for this deaths, so that the solutions will be context specific and tailored to the particular environment where those deaths are occuring
“For us in Rivers state we have six Mamii LGAs , nationally we we have 172 local government areas “the Commissioner said.
Earlier in her opening remarks,Dr Oreh said the state government is prepared to work with the federal ministry of health and social welfare to check the rate of maternal mortality in the state.
She commended The Minister of Health and Social welfare Professor Ali Muhammad Pategi for driving the Mamii initiative across the country and expressed optimism that the programm will see to the end of maternal mortality in the country.
Also speaking the National Coordinator Nigeria health sector Renewal Initiative Dr Adam Ahmed said Rivers state is the last state among Mamii states in the country to host the team.
He said the team will visit the affected Local Government Areas with the view to interacting with the people on how to check the trend.
He expressed the hope that with continuous efforts, maternal mortality will be checked.
Also speaking the permanent secretary Rivers state Ministry of Health Professor Justinah Jumbo said the government is not leaving any stone unturned towards reduction in maternal deaths.
The permanent secretary said Governor Siminalaye Fubara is a health friendly Governor who is desirous in improving the quality of health of Rivers people.
John Bibor
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