Northern elders have dissociated themselves from recent comments credited to Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, in which he blamed non-Muslim soldiers for the rise of insecurity in the North East.

Gumi had accused the military of triggering the raging banditry in parts of the North.

The Kaduna-based Islamic cleric had visited and met with bandits in forests across Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, and Niger states, in an attempt to broker peace.

In reaction to this, the Northern elders said Gumi’s allegations were not a representation of the position of the region, saying the public must see same as the personal sentiments of the cleric.

While urging the general public to discountenance the allegations, the patriots, operating under the aegis of North East Elders for Peace and De­velopment, vouched for the professionalism and non-partisan nature of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).

In a statement by their National Coordinator, Engr. Zana Goni, the elders vowed to resist attempts by any individual or group to profile the military which, they maintained, re­mained the most visible symbol of national unity and cohesion.

According to them, the need for prominent groups and organisations in the North to condemn Gumi’s dangerous claim had become necessary, in order not to give the impression that he was speaking for the region. (Daily Independent)