Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has once again sparked nationwide outrage after urging the Nigerian government to abandon military operations against armed bandits and instead negotiate with them. In a new video circulating on social media, Gumi warned that confronting the criminal groups with force would be “a grave mistake.”
According to him, the only sustainable way to end banditry is through engagement, dialogue, and government-backed incentives.
“Attacking the bandits will be a mistake,” Gumi said in the video. “Negotiate with them instead. Include them in the national budget. Give the bandits whatever they want so that peace can return.”
The cleric, who has previously visited several bandit hideouts and positioned himself as an intermediary between criminal groups and the government, argued that the armed groups feel neglected and deserve to be treated as stakeholders.
His comments have triggered intense criticism across social media, with many Nigerians accusing him of defending terrorism and undermining national security. Security analysts have also described the suggestion as dangerous, warning that legitimising armed groups could encourage further kidnappings, extortion, and violence.
Gumi’s latest statement comes at a time when Nigeria is grappling with a resurgence of mass abductions, including the recent kidnapping of schoolchildren in Kebbi and Niger States, which has amplified calls for stronger security measures and a review of the government’s counter-terrorism strategy.
While the federal government has not officially responded to the viral video, officials within the defence and security sector have repeatedly dismissed negotiation with bandits as an unacceptable policy, insisting that criminal groups must be confronted and dismantled.
Gumi, however, insists that dialogue, rehabilitation, and financial integration are the only realistic pathways to peace — a position that continues to deepen public controversy and debate.
The video has once again placed national attention on the cleric’s long-standing role in the banditry crisis and reignited discussions on the ethics, legality, and long-term consequences of negotiating with armed non-state actors.
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