Following the abduction of more than 315 people including over 300 students in Niger State, with some victims already released or having escaped, controversial Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has maintained his stance that negotiating with bandits is a necessary strategy to reduce violence, contrasting recent kidnappings with incidents like the Kebbi abductions where victims were released unharmed.
He argued that negotiation is a universal practice, dismissing claims that governments shouldn’t engage with outlaws, and insisting that talks can prevent bloodshed and advance strategic interests.
Gumi emphasized that his own past engagements with bandit groups were conducted openly and with government and media involvement. His last direct contact with bandits was in 2021, after which he withdrew once the groups were formally designated as terrorists, noting that earlier efforts to unify factions failed due to federal reluctance.
Discussing Nigeria’s broader security challenges, Gumi said the military cannot handle the crisis alone, stressing that only about 5% of the solution is military while the rest depends on government policy, political will, and community participation. He called for a multi-layered approach to tackling insecurity.
He also highlighted the need to distinguish between Fulani herdsmen and urban Fulani, asserting that most bandits are herders engaged in what he described as an “existential war” tied to cattle survival and inheritance. Gumi’s remarks reflect the ongoing debate over the balance between dialogue and force in confronting Nigeria’s persistent insecurity.
