Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has criticized the Federal Government’s classification of bandits as terrorists, warning that this move could escalate insecurity and eliminate opportunities for dialogue with these groups.
In a viral video, Gumi expressed his concerns, arguing that the designation could worsen the security situation rather than resolve it.
According to the cleric, some bandit groups had previously demonstrated a willingness to negotiate and should not have been labeled as terrorists.
“We don’t want to push them into terror beyond what they are doing now because it can get worse,” Gumi said.
He maintained that dialogue remains a viable option for addressing insecurity, noting that some bandits had in the past cooperated with authorities by apprehending members of Boko Haram and handing them over to security agencies in Zamfara State.
“They have shown us their willingness to negotiate, so people that are ready to negotiate, why are you rushing to declare them terrorists?” he asked.
“Before, they used to catch Boko Haram and present them to the authorities in Zamfara, but now they are all terrorists.”
Gumi further lamented that the designation has effectively shut down communication channels between clerics and armed groups.
“Secondly, the only door that is remaining is for us clergy to go in and negotiate with them; that is closed permanently,” he said.
The Islamic scholar has previously faced criticism for his visits to bandit camps and his persistent advocacy for dialogue as a means of resolving the country’s banditry crisis.
These latest comments are expected to reignite the national debate regarding the government’s counterinsurgency and anti-banditry strategies.
