PANDEF Leader Edwin Clark Rebukes Ahmed Gumi And Ahmed Yerima’s Call For Amnesty For Northern Bandits, Highlights Contrast With Niger Delta Agitators

Pa Edwin Clark, the leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), strongly criticized Islamic cleric Ahmed Gumi and former Zamfara State governor Ahmed Sani Yerima for their proposal of an amnesty programme for what he refers to as “blood-sucking bandits in the north.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

” Clark expressed his concern that equating the Amnesty programme in the South-South region with calls for amnesty for bandits and terrorists in the north is unjustifiable and criminal.

Speaking at his Asokoro residence in Abuja on Wednesday, the elder statesman emphasized that bandits from the North cannot be compared to legitimate agitators from the Niger Delta…CONTINUE READING

He highlighted the difference between the two contemporary security issues: the blatant criminality exhibited by the northern bandits and the genuine grievances over oil resources in the Niger Delta.

Clark cited Ahmad Gumi, the Islamic cleric who repeatedly pleaded for amnesty for the bandits, as one of those who overlook the fact that many of the bandits are not even Nigerians.

He pointed out that the amnesty worked in the Niger Delta because the militants were fighting for sound economic and federalist principles related to resource control.

On the other hand, the blood-thirsty bandits in the north have no legitimate political or economic claims that justify Nigeria’s consideration of amnesty.

Clark expressed concern over the rising terrorism in Nigeria, ranking eighth on the 2023 Global Terrorism Index due to the activities of various terrorist groups. He emphasized that negotiating with amorphous groups of bandits without central command or leadership has proven futile, as evidenced by past experiences in some North-West states.

In conclusion, he applauded the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) and other northern Nigerians for condemning Ahmed Yerima’s advice to grant amnesty to the murderous bandits.

He firmly stood against the idea of rewarding mindless criminality and insisted on addressing the issues with a distinct approach for each region.