Northern scholars back Tinubu’s fight against banditry

The Concerned Scholars for Peace and Development (CSPD), has thrown its weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to tackle banditry in the country.

In a statement signed by its President, Dr Zaharadeen Mohammed Kabir, the group warned saboteurs and collaborators not to distract the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle and the armed forces.

The statement reads in parts: “The Concerned National Islamic Scholars for Peace and National Development condemn in the strongest terms the attempts by unscrupulous persons to trivialise the security challenge in the northwest of the country by politicising the issue and urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to allow his administration to be distracted in flushing out criminal elements from the country.

“This condemnation became necessary in the wake of the misleading video published by a popular Sokoto State-based Islamic cleric, who falsely accused the Federal Government of sponsoring bandit leaders.

“It is important to note the political context of these false accusations, especially given the high stakes involved in regional and national politics. The timing and source of the allegations suggest an attempt to distract the Federal Government’s counter-terrorism efforts. The CSPD urged the President not to succumb to distraction but to go all out for the bandits until they all surrender and give up their evil ways.

“More of these characters will come out in the next few weeks as the fight gets hotter to smoke out the bandits from the northwest. Mr President must remain resolute and committed to the charge given to the Armed Forces.”