By Mike ALADENIKA.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has reacted vehimently to comments credited to Sheikh Ahmad Gumi describing Nigerian journalists as criminals for addressing bandits as criminals in their reports.
The NUJ, in a statement, by its National president, Mr Chris Isiguzo on Friday, strongly condemned SHEIKH Ahmad Gumi for the comment, saying, "this unnecessary and unprovoked attack on members of the media by a hitherto respected cleric who decided to embark on strange errands, is unacceptable and it is becoming clearer now that he is pursuing a different agenda. We equally recall a recent statement credited to Sheikh Gumi where he was inciting bandits, by encouraging religious biases among soldiers on the battlefield."
According to the NUJ president, "We are more shocked that the same Sheikh Gumi who has used the media to speak to leaders and to advance the course of his mission to the bandits across the Northwest, is at the same time attacking the Journalists for simply describing bandits as criminals."
"Sheik Gumi’s attempts to seek amnesty for killers and abductors of innocent citizens, especially school children is most unfortunate", therefore "we invite Sheikh Gumi to explain to Nigerians why, despite his recent negotiations with bandits in Zamfara State, the criminals have continued maiming, killing, raping and kidnapping innocent citizens, including the 300 female Students just abducted in the same State".
The NUJ however wondered why he is still walking the streets freely while "In saner climes, Sheikh Gumi, a non-state actor involved in negotiations with criminal elements, should have been behind bars, but alas, thanks to the weaknesses of our Leaders, he continues with his reckless comments and forays into bandit territory unabated".
With his percieved insult to the Press, "Sheikh Gumi has exposed himself the more as an intolerant person who will not want his activities closely scrutinised by the media. It is instructive to remind Sheikh Gumi that by embarking on such an errand and choosing to speak for the bandits, the Press will continue to scrutinise his activities and also hold him accountable for his actions as enshrined in the Constitution".
The NUJ then stated unequivocally that "his action and statement were totally unacceptable, dishonourable and reprehensible and we demand a retraction of his untoward, irritating and awkward utterances which negate simple decorum and civility. We therefore caution him to remember that 'riding the tiger might be an exhilarating experience but the consequence are bound to be unpleasant.' He should thus be guided."
The NUJ president then called on the Nigerian government as well as the international community "to document the utterances and actions of Sheikh Gumi and to hold him to account for any bandit related mishap that may happen to Journalists around the country."
It would be recalled that Sheikh Gumi had, on Arise TV on Wednesday, said : “You are emphasising on criminality, I don’t know. Even the Press (journalists) are criminals too because they are putting oil into fire [sic]. These people are listening to you, don’t address them as criminals”, despite
one of the bandit leader, who insisted on being introduced properly as “Kachalla Halilu Sububu Seno, Leader of all Terrorists. He is the Leader,” in an interview with Daily Trust, Gumi still insisted that they are not criminals.
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