Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, have sent a message to the Federal Government over activities of bandits, kidnappers in Nigeria.
Obasanjo and Gumi in a statement released following their closed-door meeting which was reported by Naija News earlier recommended that special courts be established to try bandits, kidnappers and carriers of unlawful weapons in Nigeria.
Gumi had led some northern religious leaders to Obasanjo’s residence at the Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, on Sunday, April 4 to discuss ongoing insecurity challenges in the country, Naija News understands.
In the 21-point communique issued after the meeting, the leaders urged President Muhammadu Buhari’s led government to take the issue of insecurity up with the Economic Community of West African States. They also recommended that whistleblowers against insecurity must be protected and rewarded.
The statement read in part, “Federal Government should take the issue up seriously within ECOWAS to work for a regional solution.
“Every community must be encouraged and empowered to stand firm and strong against criminals. There should be protection and reward covertly for whistleblowers against criminals living in the community.
“Special courts should be created to deal promptly with cases of banditry, kidnapping, ransom demanding and unlawful carrying of weapons.
“Let the slogan be: Security is the responsibility of all Nigerians.
“We agree to continue to work together for solutions for the security of Nigeria and to seek others to join us as we widely circulate our joint statement.”
Meanwhile, former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerians to work in love, peace, and unity as Christians mark the remembrance of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ during the Easter season.
Jonathan in his Easter message to the people of Nigeria, noted that apart from working in love, peace, and unity, Nigerians must exercise faith and hope, so as to overcome the current national challenges and build a prosperous nation.