CAN accuses Gumi November 7, 2004 | posted by Nigerian Muse (Archives)

 

---

 

You plan to attack us– CAN accuses Gumi
 

By Segun Ajiboye
THE SUN, Sunday, November 7, 2004

 

This may not be the best of times for Christians in the city of Kaduna. They now live in anxiety over what they say is an impending attack on them by Moslems after the Ramadan fast.
 

Consequently, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna chapter has written an open letter to President Olusegun Obasanjo, urging him to do everything possible to thwart the planned attack.
 

They are accusing the son of the late radical Islamic scholar, Sheik Abubakar Gumi, Dr. Ahmed Gumi of using a “sermon of hate” to rouse Moslems against Christians.

In an interview with Sunday Sun, CAN Secretary (Kaduna state), Rev. John Joseph Hayab said there is tension in the city, as Christians now live in fear of a likely attack.

The CAN petition reads in parts:
 

“ We use this medium to alert the authorities responsible for the unity of Nigeria and the impartial safeguard of our citizens. Our special call is directed to the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as to bring to remembrance of the oaths he swore before God when he assumed the exalted office.
 

“ Repeated calls have been made to the Presidency from many quarters requesting for a special panel to tackle the problem of global terrorism and to check its spread in Nigeria and time is running out.”

Gumi’s alleged role
 

CAN stated further that “ now we want it to be on record that there are some Islamic fundamentalist groups within Nigeria plotting for the destruction of the nation openly with the tacit approval of some state governments. On Thursday, October 14, 2004, Sheik Ahmad Gumi made an open call in the Sultan Bello Mosque, Kaduna for the destruction of Christians and the Nigerian constitution.
 

“ He whipped up the sentiments that sponsored the genocide of the Igbo in 1966. The sheik called for the elimination of Christians for the sake of unity in Nigeria. Speaking in proverbs, he rubbished the idea of peaceful co-existence and called for action.”

State owned TV station accused of complicity
 

“ This terrible incitement was broadcast repeatedly on the State owned television station, KDTV and also on DITV and radio too. Kaduna is a prominent state with a Christian majority in its mixed population. Now, human life has a cheap value in Kaduna because of these Islamic strikes and its cup of blood is full.

Litany of attacks on Christians
 

“Such troubles claimed lives in 1979, October 29, 1982, 1986, March 6, 1988, June 1988, October 11, 1991, January 1993 then February 21, 2000, May 23, 2000 and November 16, 2002. The body count has topped two hundred thousand over the years and at least 1, 200 Churches have been destroyed. The pattern of terrorist strikes in Nigeria shows that the orgy of violence is usually stirred by the oration of a fiery speaker in the Mosque, but nothing in the past comes near Gumi’s incitement.
 

“ By his own admission, the Sheik of Doom revealed that he had not desired to come to Nigeria but was pressured into coming. Sheik Ahmad Gumi is the son of the late Sheik Abubakar Mahmud Gumi and the grandson to Malam Mahmoud Na-Gumi. The surname was adopted from the town Gumi where the Malam settled after years of nomadic wanderings. The Malam’s father was Malam Muhammed Marina, one of the three children of Sheik el-Badawi, an Arab from the Bedouin nomads.”

State-of Emergency necessary
 

“ Until recent times, the young Sheik had been residing in Saudi Arabia before the persuasion to return. In the light of these events, it could be necessary for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in Kaduna. There are those that will execute Sheik Gumi’s orders once the Muslim fast is over.”

Slams Makafi
 

“ The State Governor should be carpeted for playing host to such a terrible incitement and the State Television, KDTV, the private DITV and the radio stations that beamed the messages repeatedly should be shut down immediately until the management is cleansed.
 

“ We believe that the Federal Government will take our notice seriously and move to protect and preserve lives in the culprit state. It only makes sense that to be forewarned is to be forearmed.”

Blood of Christians will be on government’s hands
 

“ We are praying that the Government will give a measured response to this expanding problem. This is a cry of desperation as it is common knowledge that Kaduna has had a peaceful spell for some months since the Miss World violence when Churches were burnt and Christians killed. If there is another strike on Christians after the Muslim fast is over, the blood of he innocent will be on the conscience of the Government and those who refuse to see the writing on the wall.
 

“ We appeal to the authorities to neutralize Sheik Ahmad Gumi and more importantly those who are behind his return to Nigeria. The intelligence behind these terrors cannot be coincidental and we need to move quickly to ensure that peace and harmony prevails in Kaduna State and Nigeria as a whole.”

Governor Makarfi re-assures CAN of peace

However, the Kaduna CAN said the body had taken steps to avert ugly incidents in the event that the attack is carried out.
Rev. Hayab disclosed that governor Ahmed Makarfi has met with the leaders of CAN in the state and urged them to remain calm.

On what could have prompted the young cleric into calling for the attack, Hayab said “youthful exuberance” of Sheik Gumi might be responsible.
 

He however said the threat should not be taken lightly, stating that past experiences show that there is a particular pattern in carrying out attacks against Christians in the country. That pattern, he claims, is playing out in the present situation.

 

---