Renowned Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has once again advocated for a negotiated settlement with bandits and insurgents in Northern Nigeria, questioning why top government leadership has not extended the same level of direct engagement to northern armed groups as was done with Niger Delta militants in the past.
Speaking on the persistent security crisis in the North, Gumi argued that relying solely on military force will not solve the region’s socio-economic and security challenges, urging the government to adopt a carrot-and-stick approach similar to past peace initiatives.
Key Takeaways from Gumi’s Statement
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Comparison with Niger Delta Outreach: Gumi pointed out that former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo directly visited and engaged Niger Delta militants in their creeks to negotiate peace and establish the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
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Call for High-Level Engagement: He questioned why similar high-level government delegations have not ventured to engage aggrieved pastoralist groups and bandits in the northern forests to address the root causes of their violence.
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Focus on Education and Rehabilitation: The cleric reiterated his long-standing position that providing schools, medical care, and alternative livelihoods to forest communities is far more effective than military bombardments.
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ GUMI'S AMNESTY & DIALOGUE MATRIX │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ • Main Proposal : Establishment of a Federal Ministry/Commission │
│ for Livestock and Forest Communities. │
│ │
│ • Core Argument : Military solutions alone cannot end banditry; │
│ economic integration and education are essential. │
│ │
│ • Historical Precedent: The 2009 Niger Delta Amnesty program under │
│ President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua and Goodluck │
│ Jonathan. │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Continuing Push for Negotiations
Sheikh Gumi’s comments align with his long-held stance on northern security. Over the years, the cleric has conducted several self-sponsored peace missions into remote forests across Kaduna, Zamfara, and Niger states to meet with bandit leaders, advocating for a federal amnesty program to lay down their arms.
While Gumi maintains that dialogue is the only realistic path to long-term stability, both federal and state authorities have largely rejected granting blanket amnesty to bandits, maintaining that security operations alongside targeted intelligence remain the primary mechanism for restoring order across the North-West and North-Central regions.
Ayodele Quadri
Correspondent
