Why Sheikh Gumi Has Not Been Arrested – General Irabor

The Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, has revealed the reason why controversial Islamic cleric, Sheik Ahmad Gumi, has not been arrested.

Irabor said the Nigerian military cannot arrest Gumi because the cleric is playing his part in restoring peace to the North and in the resolution of the fight against insecurity.

He said this on Thursday while speaking at the ministerial briefing organised by the presidential communications team at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Irabor stated that the military welcomes any help in combating the bandits and terrorists, adding that the military did not employ the cleric.

He added that the help is acceptable as long as such interventions are not contrary or inhibiting the operations of the military.

The Defence chief noted that interacting with known bandits and advocating for amnesty for them is not a crime in the country.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian military on Thursday confirmed the killing of the leader of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Abu Musab Al-Barnawi.

Confirmed the killing, Irabor said: “I can authoritatively confirm to you that Abu Musab is dead. As simple as that. He is dead and remains dead.”

Ezenwoko’s Blog had reported that Al-Barnawi was killed in the last week of August.

Al-Barnawi was the son of Boko Haram founder, Mohammed Yusuf who was also killed by security forces in 2009 when he launched a war against the Nigerian state.