Sheikh Gumi Endorses NFSS, Urges End to Airstrikes After Tudun Biri Drone Tragedy
Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Mahmud Gumi, has thrown his weight behind the proposed Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS), describing it as a vital specialised force to tackle criminal elements hiding in forests. Speaking during his Ramadan Tafsir session on Tuesday night in Kaduna, Sheikh Gumi urged the federal government to establish the NFSS promptly. He emphasised that the outfit must deploy firm and decisive military action against bandits and other criminals operating in remote forest areas. However, the prominent scholar issued a strong warning against the continued use of aerial bombardments in anti-banditry operations. He cited the devastating Tudun Biri incident in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State as a stark reminder of the risks involved. In December 2023, a Nigerian Air Force drone strike mistakenly targeted civilians gathered for a Maulud celebration in Tudun Biri, killing over 100 residents (with official figures citing at least 88...