Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has revealed that officials from the federal government accompany him during negotiations with bandits, stating that “one cannot go alone.”
Gumi, who has consistently advocated for granting amnesty to bandits and engaging in dialogue to foster peace, shared his insights in an interview with PUNCH.
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He emphasized the importance of government presence during these negotiations, saying, “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 noted that there are often restrictions on which officials can join the negotiations, but he also collaborates with traditional institutions and state government representatives. “My plan is only to broker peace with them. They open their doors for us to sit and discuss issues,” Gumi added.
Addressing accusations that politicians are sponsoring bandits, Gumi refuted these claims, stating, “No politician is sponsoring these people. We are all victims. The opposition is not even behind this. This is a natural reaction of people neglected for centuries.”
Gumi further explained that many individuals, once isolated, are now seeking education and opportunities. “Now they are exposed to the world and they want education. These people are exposed to the internet and see how much they are deprived. They want to fight back,” he said.
He also highlighted a positive development, noting that over 600 herdsmen and their families have begun schooling at a facility established for them in a village between Abuja and Kaduna. “They are telling us they don’t want their children to be like them. Imagine if we did that all around the country,” Gumi concluded.
