Odita Sunday 
By Odita Sunday
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned what it described as the Federal Government’s silence over recent comments allegedly made by Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, insisting that security agencies should immediately investigate the cleric over statements perceived as sympathetic to terrorists.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, on Saturday, HURIWA said the failure of authorities to scrutinise controversial remarks linked to terrorism and banditry exposes alleged double standards in Nigeria’s anti-terrorism campaign.
The group said Nigerians were shocked by Gumi’s recent appearance on African Independent Television (AIT) on May 19, where he reportedly advised Nigerians to “learn how to live with terrorists” and allegedly suggested that bandits rely on kidnapping proceeds to sustain their operations.
HURIWA described the remarks as reckless, provocative and insensitive, warning that such statements could embolden armed criminal groups terrorising several parts of the country.
According to the association, no public figure should make comments capable of rationalising terrorism at a time communities are being attacked, schoolchildren abducted and farmers displaced from their lands.
The rights group backed earlier calls by activist lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, for Sheikh Gumi to be investigated under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
HURIWA argued that the law criminalises not only acts of terrorism but also support, justification or ideological sympathy capable of aiding terrorist activities.
The organisation further accused the Federal Government of selective justice, alleging that separatist figures have faced aggressive prosecution over inflammatory remarks while controversial statements linked to armed bandit groups in the North allegedly receive less scrutiny.
“The fight against terrorism cannot be selective. A nation that punishes one set of voices while shielding others destroys the moral foundation of justice and weakens public trust in the rule of law,” the statement said.
The group warned that failure to investigate statements perceived as sympathetic to terrorists could create the impression that violent groups enjoy ideological protection from influential interests.
HURIWA therefore called on the Department of State Services, the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Attorney-General of the Federation to launch a comprehensive probe into the cleric’s comments and determine whether criminal liability exists under extant laws.
The association maintained that democracy cannot thrive where terrorism is allegedly normalised through rhetoric, silence or political caution.
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