Sheikh Gumi Reveals Federal Officials Accompany Him in Bandit Negotiations

Islamic cleric Sheikh Gumi discloses that federal government officials have been involved in his negotiations with bandits, raising questions about Nigeria’s approach to addressing the security crisis.

Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a well-known Islamic cleric from Kaduna, has disclosed that federal government officials frequently join him in negotiations with bandits.

He highlighted that these officials, together with law enforcement and representatives from traditional institutions, are involved in the negotiations to guarantee safety and promote dialogue.

Gumi, a long-time advocate for achieving peace through dialogue with the bandits and considering amnesty options, stated in an interview with OBASANJONEWS that it is not practical to engage in such negotiations independently.

He stated, “Nigerians need to understand that I’ve never visited any of these people’s hideouts without government officials. I always go with the police because it’s not possible to go alone; you must be accompanied by them.”

“They’ll simply inform you about the perimeter and advise against bringing certain people. Occasionally, I collaborate with traditional institutions and state government officials. My goal is solely to mediate peace between them. They welcome us in to sit down and discuss matters.”

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Regarding the allegations that politicians are sponsoring bandits, he stated: “No politician is supporting these individuals. We are all suffering from this situation, and even the opposition isn’t responsible for it. This behavior is a natural response from people who have been neglected for centuries.”

They are now exposed to the world and desire education. With access to the internet, they recognize how much they’ve been deprived.

They are eager to push back. This initiative is self-led and not directed by anyone else. Surprisingly, in a school established for herdsmen located in a village between Abuja and Kaduna, over 600 individuals along with their families have begun attending classes there. They express the desire for their children to pursue different paths than they did. Just think about what could be achieved if we implemented this nationwide.