While the insecurity in the country continues descending to alarming level, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, the Islamic cleric alleged to be close to terrorists, accuses the Federal Government of having knowledge of who terrorists are, as well as where to locate them, this is as terrorists last week released a video of one Tunde Adegoke whom they kidnapped on his way to Sokoto, demanding a ransom of N100 million. “Who will rescue Adegoke?” remains a big question waiting to be answered
By Our Correspondent
The viral video of the ordeal of one Tunde Adegoke whom terrorists kidnapped recently, demanding a ransom payment of N100 million before his release, remains another question mark on the sincerity of the Federal Government in confronting insecurity in the country.
Adegoke was kidnapped on March 6, 2026, while he was on his way to Sokoto State and was intercepted by heavily armed bandits along the route.
Adegoke was seen in the footage crying out from the kidnappers’ den after the armed bandits demanded N100 million ransom for his release following his abduction while travelling to Sokoto State.
In the viral video circulating recently, several bandits carrying rifles were seen surrounding the victim while forcing him to record a message appealing for help.
The gunmen, who appeared relaxed while wielding their weapons, stood behind Adegoke as he delivered a distress message to Nigerians, begging for assistance to secure his release.
In the emotion-laden video, Adegoke introduced himself and narrated how he was captured while travelling to Sokoto.
He said, “Good morning ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters, my name is Adegoke, I was on my way on Saturday the 6th of March 2026 to Sokoto when I was apprehended on the way.”
Adegoke revealed that the kidnappers had placed a ransom of N100 million on him and appealed to members of the public to help raise the money to save his life.
“The ransom has been set at 100 million Naira. Please, brothers and sisters, I’m begging and pleading that you guys should please help me so that I can leave this place alive. The people have granted me, they promised that as long as the ransom is paid, they will allow me to go.”
The abductee continued his plea to the authorities, and urged the Federal Government and other well-meaning Nigerians to support him with whatever assistance they could provide so he could regain his freedom.
He said, “Please, I am begging you, help me with whatever you can so that I can leave this place alive. Please, and if you want to reach out, you can reach out to my brother on 08062132289. Please, and get further information from him.”
“I beg you all, please, help me so that I can leave this place alive. Thank you.”
The video highlights the growing menace of kidnapping for ransom in Nigeria, particularly along highways and in northern parts of the country where armed bandits frequently target travelers and residents.
Kidnapping for ransom has become one of the most lucrative criminal activities for armed groups operating across several states, with victims often forced to record videos appealing to their families and the public for financial assistance.
What is surprising to most citizens is that the terrorists can record videos from any part of the country, including the most interior forests in the North, and can also be trailed and captured by security operatives. This concern raises suspicion about the sincerity of the Federal Government in apprehending armed terrorists and bandits who are destroying lives and properties on daily basis. Perhaps, this failure on the part of the government may have forced the Kaduna-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Abubakar Amad Gumi alleged to be a close associate of the terrorists to declare that the Federal Government was not sincere in waging the war against insecurity in the country.
Gumi has alleged that the Nigerian government is aware of the identities and locations of terrorists operating across the country. Gumi made the claim during a recent interview with DRTV, which began trending last week.
Gumi was reacting to accusations that he knows and regularly interacts with terrorists and bandits responsible for insecurity in parts of Nigeria, and that he often speaks on their behalf.
Responding to the claims, the Islamic scholar said his contacts with the armed groups were not conducted alone, insisting that security agencies were involved.
According to Gumi, “The government knows every terrorist by name and by location. I don’t go alone to negotiate; I go with the police and other security agencies.”
“I would go to the Emirs. In fact, when we went to one forest, I even went with women into the bush.”
Sheikh Gumi had taken part in controversial dialogue initiatives with armed groups in northern Nigeria, maintaining that negotiation could help reduce violence and persuade fighters to lay down their arms.
A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has also aligned himself with Gumi, while insisting that terrorism is an APC ploy to rig the 2027 general election.
Frank said recent claims by Gumi suggesting that authorities know the identities and locations of criminal groups raise serious questions about the government’s response to insecurity.
According to him, if security agencies already possess such intelligence, Nigerians would expect swift and decisive action against those responsible for violence across the country, he said the continued attacks, kidnappings, and killings have created doubts about how the available intelligence is being used.
Frank argued that the situation becomes even more troubling when violence continues despite suggestions that security forces know where the criminals operate from and noted that many communities across Nigeria have continued to suffer from bandit attacks, kidnappings, and terrorist activities.
The activist warned that the government’s inability to act decisively in such circumstances could raise serious public concerns about the commitment of authorities to end the crisis and stressed that Nigerians are increasingly worried about the safety of their lives and property.
Frank made strong allegations about the possible political consequences of the security crisis, according to him, the persistence of insecurity may benefit certain political interests ahead of the next general elections.
He claimed that some actors may prefer the current situation to continue because widespread instability could create opportunities to manipulate the political environment before the 2027 elections.
”Government knows the identities of terrorists and bandits yet fails to act because it’s an opportunity for them to rig the 2027 general elections in Nigeria,” he said.
