NIGERIA: Popular Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has strongly defended himself against calls for his arrest over his ongoing commentary on banditry and national security.
Gumi, who has long acted as an intermediary between the government and bandit groups, has drawn both praise and criticism for advocating dialogue rather than purely military solutions. Critics accuse him of shielding criminals, but he insists he his interested in securing peace, reports Sunday PUNCH.
In a statement shared on Facebook on Sunday, Gumi described his opponents as “spineless, irresponsible, and unpatriotic imbecilic people” who prefer outrage over understanding the truth. He emphasised that engaging with bandits to negotiate peace is neither a crime nor a betrayal of the nation.
The cleric recalled a major intervention in January 2021 at Sabon Garin Yadi forest in Giwa Local Government Area, Kaduna State, where he met with over 600 armed bandits and their commanders alongside the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police. The goal was to persuade the group to lay down their arms and embrace dialogue in exchange for security and basic amenities.
Gumi criticised the government for failing to honour the bandits’ conditions, which led to the collapse of the peace initiative. He expressed frustration that, instead of addressing these administrative failures, many Nigerians have targeted him personally.
“The purpose of the meeting was to de-escalate violence. Over 600 bandits agreed to surrender their weapons. They presented conditions to the government, none of which were fulfilled,” he said.
The cleric challenged his critics, questioning why mediation efforts undertaken in the national interest should provoke arrest demands. He also defended free speech as a constitutional right, warning that silencing voices advocating dialogue worsens insecurity.
Gumi concluded with a prayer for national unity, urging Nigerians to rise above bigotry, intolerance, and hate-driven narratives that fuel conflict.
“May Allah protect our nation from bigotry, stubbornness, and complete intolerance of contrary views,” he wrote.
