The minister of information, Lai Mohammed, on Wednesday declared that there is no evidence to suggest that controversial Islamic preacher, Ahmad Gumi, is inciting violence against the federal government.

The minister made the statement while fielding questions from journalists in Abuja, The Cable reports.

Mohammed noted that the actions of Gumi cannot be compared to that of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The minister also explained that the cleric’s position is different from that of Kanu, who he accused of openly calling for attacks on security operatives.

“Who appointed Gumi middleman between government and Boko Haram? Listen, for me, unless you come and tell me this is what Gumi said that is inciting that you are comparing to Kanu…anyway what we’re discussing is different…

“But I’m saying that you cannot compare anybody with Kanu who boldly said go and kill policemen. I think sometimes…policemen are brothers; they are our uncles; they have children.”

According to The Nation, he lamented that after security agents are killed, their wives become widows, and their children become orphans.

Lai Mohammed argued that soldiers and policemen are working to keep the country one by making sacrifices to ensure citizens are safe.