Popular Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has strongly defended his long-standing involvement in negotiations with armed bandit groups across northern Nigeria, stressing that he has been unfairly targeted by people who misunderstand his role in national security and peace-building. In a detailed statement released on Sunday through his official Facebook page, the influential cleric criticised what he described as a rising wave of emotional reactions and hostile calls for his arrest.
In the statement, Sheikh Gumi argued that his interventions with armed groups were conducted openly, responsibly and with the knowledge of relevant authorities. He noted that his critics have ignored the worsening insecurity across various northern states and instead chosen to attack those advocating dialogue. Okay News reports that Sheikh Gumi insisted he has always acted in the national interest and has never supported the criminal activities of bandits.
He condemned what he described as unfair accusations that he shielded terrorist elements by urging government officials to prioritise dialogue. According to him, people calling for his arrest are motivated by ignorance and intolerance of views that differ from theirs. He wrote that “ARREST HIM!!! These are the only words some spineless, irresponsible and unpatriotic imbecilic people can utter,” adding that such individuals are more interested in outrage than in understanding the roots of Nigeria’s insecurity challenges.
Sheikh Gumi recalled a key intervention he facilitated in January 2021 at Sabon Garin Yadi forest in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State in northern Nigeria. He explained that he was accompanied by the then Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, who represented the Inspector General of Police during the engagement. He noted that the meeting brought together more than six hundred armed bandits and their commanders, all of whom listened to his appeal for peace.
According to him, the purpose of the mission was to use dialogue to reduce violence by persuading bandit leaders to stop attacks and surrender their weapons. He narrated that the bandits agreed to cease hostilities in exchange for security guarantees, social amenities and assurances from government representatives. Sheikh Gumi insisted that the negotiation was conducted in the open and with full awareness of the relevant security agencies.
He, however, expressed dissatisfaction that the commitments requested by the bandits were never fulfilled by government officials, which later contributed to the collapse of the peace window. He stated that instead of examining why authorities failed to honour the terms presented by the armed groups, some Nigerians have chosen to demonise him. He emphasised that “The outcome was that over 600 bandits agreed to lay down their arms. They presented conditions to the government… None fulfilled”.
The cleric questioned why a mediation mission authorised by relevant security leaders should be used as a basis to call for his arrest. He asked, “So, what is there to arrest for? For calling them to lay arms or amenities for them, or to educate the nation on their side of the story?”
Sheikh Gumi also warned that attempts to suppress freedom of speech and persecute people for expressing unpopular opinions would worsen distrust, deepen divisions and hinder solutions to Nigeria’s complex insecurity crisis. He argued that calling for his detention amounts to an incitement to further violence and a dismissal of alternative approaches to peace-building.
He concluded by praying for national unity, asking God to protect the country “from bigotry, stubborn and complete intolerance of contrary views and opinions,” while urging Nigerians to adopt a more rational and solution-driven approach to insecurity.
