Gumi replies Army, says religious bias was in the past

Popular Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, has said that the religious bias he spoke about in the Nigerian Army existed between 2010 and 2015.

Gumi said he was misunderstood about his comment on religious bias, stating that he was referring to the past and not today’s army.

He made this clarification today while reacting to the Army’s response on the video clip where he said the soldiers attacking bandits are non-Muslims.

The army spokesman, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Yerima has earlier stated on Monday that “Nigerian Army does not deploy its troops along ethnic or religious lines.”

He admonished the cleric and other “opinion merchants” to exercise restraint and not drag the image and reputation of “one of the most reliable national institutions to disrepute.”

Gumi told BBC that “I saw the Army’s response. What I will say is that there is a misunderstanding in the issues. When I speak about the religious issue in the Army, I am not referring to today’s Army.

“The issue is from 2010-2015 when some people were in-charge and a lot of bad things happened.

“It is during that time that there were bombings everywhere. It happened in Jaji and we lost a popular Muslim general. Even, I was saved by God because they planted a bomb for me.”