Negotiate With Bandits, Terrorists Now Or Else; Gumi Tells Tinubu
Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has once again called for negotiations as the key solution to ending banditry and terrorism in Nigeria.
Speaking in an interview with Punch newspaper published today, Sheikh Gumi argued that the perpetrators are Nigerians who can be approached and convinced through dialogue.
“These people are Nigerians; we can trace them through their relatives easily,” Gumi said. According to him, when approached either as a negotiator or a preacher, bandits and terrorists are often willing to open up and engage in discussions. He questioned why the Nigerian government has not fully adopted this approach, stating that it is a viable method for resolving the nation’s security crisis.
“The question is: Why is the government not taking that course? Well, I can say the present government has learned from the legacy of the past. The only thing I think is lacking here is that the talking is too much. If you stand on the right side, then we will get results,” he said.
Gumi further clarified that his involvement in negotiations has always been in the presence of government officials, countering claims that he operates independently.
“One thing Nigerians should understand is that 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.”
He also noted that, on some occasions, he has been accompanied by representatives from traditional institutions and state governments, underscoring that his sole aim is to broker peace.
“My plan is only to broker peace with them. They open their doors for us to sit and discuss issues,” Gumi explained.
The cleric’s comments come at a time when Nigeria continues to struggle with escalating insecurity, particularly in the northern region where banditry and terrorist activities have left communities devastated.
Gumi’s call for negotiations has sparked mixed reactions across the country, with some supporting dialogue as a path to peace, while others believe that more forceful measures are needed to curb the menace. As the government continues to explore strategies for combating insecurity, Gumi remains a prominent advocate for dialogue, urging the authorities to take swift action in initiating discussions with those involved in banditry and terrorism.
