Why Bandits Say They Can’t Stop Killing – Gumi

Prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has disclosed that several bandits he previously engaged in dialogue expressed regret over ongoing bloodshed in Nigeria, claiming they feel trapped in a perpetual cycle of violence due to attacks on their own communities.

According to Gumi, the armed groups view the escalating security crisis in the region not as a deliberate campaign, but as an ongoing chain of revenge and retaliation.

He further noted that many of the fighters operate under the firm conviction that laying down their arms or attempting to leave the forestry hideouts would result in their immediate execution.

The cleric made these revelations during a recent interview on PAPShow, which was originally released on October 29, with video highlights going viral across social media platforms.

Gumi recounted that during his interactions, one of the bandit leaders explicitly conceded that the loss of human lives had become overwhelming, even while maintaining that external circumstances had pushed them into continuing their armed campaign.

“One of the bandits was telling us the bloodshed is too much,” Gumi stated. “They, too, are not happy. And they say they are forced to do it.”

Detailing the specific grievances raised by the gunmen, Gumi explained that they accused military authorities and local vigilantes of targeting innocent women and children in their communities under the guise of anti-cattle rustling operations.

He recalled probing their actions, only for the bandits to counter with questions regarding why their families and settlements were repeatedly targeted by state actors and vigilante groups.

“So, they feel it’s a field of blood, revenge, attack and counterattack,” the cleric added.

Faced with this deadlock, Gumi insisted that military action alone cannot resolve the crisis, emphasizing that religious leaders must step forward to facilitate talks between the government and the armed factions to bring an end to the violence.

“So, we, as clergy, our own duty is to look at how to stop it. Let’s stop the bloodshed. Let’s come to the table,” he urged.

Addressing why the bandits refuse to unilaterally drop their weapons, Gumi stated that a profound lack of trust prevents them from surrendering, as they genuinely fear being killed upon stepping forward.

“Because they thought they were killed. So, we need to reaffirm to them, to put confidence in them that they will not be killed,” he explained.

Commenting on the influx of heavy arms among the criminal networks, Gumi noted that huge ransom payments and an internal arms race among competing factions have accelerated weapon acquisitions.

He revealed that different bandit cells constantly attempt to outgun one another to establish territorial dominance, driving up demand on the illicit arms market.

“They buy more weapons because there’s an arms race between them… So, this den has more machine guns than this one. So, they should fear them,” Gumi remarked, describing the illegal arms trade as an accessible black market fueled by high ransom payouts.

The cleric also speculated that foreign intelligence services and hostile foreign interests might be quietly facilitating arms supplies to destabilize Nigeria, though he acknowledged having no concrete evidence to validate the assertion.

Banditry continues to plague rural communities across northern Nigeria, especially within the North-West zone, through rampant kidnappings, village raids, and mass killings.

While Gumi maintains that constructive dialogue and amnesty remain the most effective solution, critics strongly counter that negotiating with armed non-state actors compromises national security and undermines justice for victims.