Popular Islamic Teacher, Shiekh Ahmed Gumi has replied the Nigerian Army over its recent warning to him over his comments on religious bias among Soldiers.
Gumi landed in hot water after footage of him telling bandits that non-Muslim soldiers were the ones killing them and that troops are deployed along ethnic and religious lines.
Ina statement on Monday, signed by Brig. Gen. Mohammed Yerima, the army warned Gumi to be cautious against making divisive and damaging utterances adding that the army does not deploy its troops along ethnic or religious lines.
However, in an interview with the BBC, Gumi stated that he was being ‘misunderstood’. “I saw the Army’s response. What I will say is that there is a misunderstanding in the issues. When I speak about the religious issue in the Army, I am not referring to today’s Army. The issue is from 2010-2015 when some people were in-charge and a lot of bad things happened.”
“It is during that time that there were bombings everywhere. It happened in Jaji and we lost a popular Muslim general. Even, I was saved by God because they planted a bomb for me,” Gumi told BBC while reacting to the Army’s response.”, he said.
Gumi has drawn admiration and also condemnation over his recent involvement in the Federal government’s negotiations with bandits.
