Prominent Cleric Defends Controversial Approach to Banditry Crisis
Prominent Kaduna Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Mahmud Gumi has broken his silence regarding growing calls for his arrest over his controversial advocacy for peace negotiations with armed bandits. The cleric, speaking through his official Facebook page, provided detailed explanations for his persistent campaign that has drawn both criticism and support across Nigeria.
Sheikh Gumi addressed the recent demands by some Nigerians urging security agencies to arrest him on suspicions that he possesses insider knowledge of bandit operations. Critics have pointed to his sustained campaign for dialogue with armed groups as evidence of potential collusion.
Personal Risks and Forest Missions
In his response, Sheikh Gumi revealed the significant personal dangers he faces during his missions into forest hideouts to meet with armed groups. The cleric emphasized that rather than facing condemnation, Nigerians should appreciate the substantial risks involved in his peace efforts.
"If they had seen the risks we take to meet these gunmen, they would have praised us instead of belittling us," Gumi wrote. He described his primary motivation as creating a secure environment for northern communities that have endured extreme suffering under the persistent threat of banditry.
The Islamic scholar dismissed accusations against him as stemming from "ignorance," maintaining that his interventions are solely driven by the deteriorating security situation across Northern Nigeria.
Why Dialogue Remains Necessary
Sheikh Gumi explained that his unwavering support for a non-military approach is grounded in the harsh realities confronting rural northern communities. He painted a grim picture of the current situation where farmers cannot access their farms, villagers face continuous displacement, food production declines steadily, and local economies collapse.
"We Northerners are the ones affected. We are the ones being harmed. To sit back and watch is not justice to our people or to the government," he stated emphatically.
The cleric stressed that engaging militants in dialogue does not constitute endorsement of their activities but represents a strategic necessity to restore peace to troubled regions. He argued that the continuous cycle of violence demands alternative approaches beyond military solutions.
Government Involvement Revealed
In what may surprise many Nigerians, Sheikh Gumi disclosed that his visits to bandit camps are not conducted independently. He revealed that government officials have accompanied him on multiple occasions, though this cooperation remains unknown to the public.
"We infiltrate the forest with government officials, but the people on the other side don't know we are working with the government," Gumi explained. This secrecy, he suggested, has led to misconceptions among Nigerians who assume he maintains unofficial connections with bandits.
The cleric further elaborated that his objective during these encounters includes correcting the gunmen's misconceptions and providing religious education they currently lack. "We are trying to show them their mistakes and educate them since we understand that they don't have religious knowledge," he stated.
Education as Ultimate Solution
Sheikh Gumi proposed that Nigeria's massive security expenditures have failed to produce desired outcomes and suggested redirecting portions of these funds toward educational initiatives. He asserted that "only education, faith, and hope can end terrorism" in the long term.
The cleric noted that even a fraction of the trillions of naira spent annually on security could significantly fund this alternative approach. His comments come amid intensified public debate following his reiteration that negotiation, rather than pure military force, represents the most workable pathway to ending banditry.
The recent calls for Gumi's arrest gained momentum after he repeated his longstanding position that engagement with bandits remains essential for sustainable peace. Critics argue that such negotiations embolden criminals and undermine military operations, while supporters see it as a pragmatic approach to resolving complex security challenges.
Despite the controversy, Sheikh Gumi maintains that those calling for his arrest fundamentally misunderstand the nature and context of his fieldwork in conflict-affected areas.
