Prominent Kaduna-based Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi revealed that he has never visited bandit hideouts without the company of government officials and police during his negotiations with the militants.
Gumi has been a vocal advocate for peaceful dialogue with bandits as a solution to Nigeria’s security crisis. In an interview with PUNCH, he stated, “I have never been to any den of these people without officials of the government. I go with the police because one cannot go alone; you must go with them.”
The cleric, known for his controversial stance on negotiating with bandits, emphasized that his role is to broker peace. “They (bandits) open their doors for us to sit and discuss issues,” Gumi said of his meetings with bandits. “My plan is only to broker peace with them.”
Gumi’s military experience informs his approach, as he believes that the government’s focus on militarization exacerbates the problem. He added, “Spending trillions on ammunition and militarization when the problem is social will yield no results.”
Gumi continues to argue that the root cause of banditry lies in social neglect, calling for dialogue, education and social development as the long-term solutions to Nigeria’s security challenges.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
