Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has expressed concern over the Nigerian government’s decision to designate bandit groups as terrorists, warning that the move has effectively shut down avenues for dialogue with armed groups.
The controversial Islamic cleric, who previously engaged bandits through direct visits to their hideouts in an effort to facilitate peace talks, said religious leaders can no longer play a mediation role under the current circumstances.
Speaking in a video that has gained traction online, Gumi argued that the government’s approach could complicate efforts to resolve the security crisis through negotiation.
According to him, some of the armed groups had shown a willingness to engage in dialogue, making it necessary to keep communication channels open rather than categorising them in a way that discourages peaceful engagement.
“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 before the terrorist designation, some bandits had reportedly assisted security efforts by apprehending Boko Haram members and handing them over to authorities in Zamfara State.
Gumi further noted that the declaration of bandits as terrorists has closed what he described as the last remaining avenue for engagement.
“The only door that is remaining is for us clergy to go in and negotiate with them, that is closed permanently,” he stated.
The cleric’s remarks have reignited debate over the effectiveness of military action versus dialogue in tackling Nigeria’s persistent insecurity challenges, particularly in the North-West region where banditry has claimed thousands of lives and displaced many communities.
