The State Security Service (SSS) self-styled Department of State Services (DSS) has invited a popular Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi to appear before it.

This is according to Voice Of American Hausa service which announced the invitation Friday afternoon.

Mr Gumi on Wednesday justified banditry going on in parts of the North, saying the activities of the violent herdsmen are better than that of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) whom he accused of killing security agencies.

The cleric demanding amnesty for the bandits implicated security agencies as colluding with the criminals to perpetuate the heinous acts, a claim rejected by the Nigerian Army who denied its personnel were part of such misconduct.