Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has called on the Federal Government to pay ransom to bandits or give them whatever they want to free the abducted passengers of the Abuja-Kaduna train still in their custody.
Controversial Islamic Scholar, equally urged the government to be careful in dealing with the terrorists in order not to harm the victims in their den.
He said, “You have the opportunity to deal with them the way they deserve because when they have captives, you have to tread with caution so that their captives will not be injured,” Gumi said.
The cleric spoke at special prayers organised for the victims by the Jama’iyyar Matan Arewa (JMA), in Kaduna.
Speaking further Gumi said, “Just imagine now, people are paying up to N25 billion to buy forms instead of using the money to pay ransom for poor Nigerians who cannot pay.
“Whatever they want, give it to them, so that they release these people and when they release them, then you have the liberty.”
The victims were abducted on March 28 after the bandits attacked their train going to Abuja from Kaduna. Nine passengers were killed, many sustained various degrees of injuries, while about 62 of them were kidnapped.
Since their abduction, the terrorsts have released several videos of the kidnapped victims, demanding that the Federal Government negotiate with them for their release, but not on monetary ransom.