Gumi: Why I’m opposed to use of bombings in fight against bandits

By Hussaina Yakubu

An Islamic scholar, Ahmad Abubakar Mahmud Gumi, has cautioned against the use of aerial bombardments in the battle to flush out bandits from forests across the country.

Gumi expressed the caution while endorsing the establishment of the Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS) to fight the bandits while speaking during his Ramadan Tafsir on Tuesday in Kaduna.

Gumi warned that aerial bombardments could result in civilian casualties.

According to the cleric, while confronting banditry requires firm and coordinated action, the deployment of bombs in forest operations poses significant risks to innocent communities residing within or around affected areas.

He cited the tragic incident at Tudun Biri in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where more than 100 residents were reportedly killed in a mistaken airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force.

He, however, said the NFSS must deploy decisive military force in tackling criminal elements.

Gumi observed that bandits operating in parts of the country had become increasingly dangerous and brutal, attributing the development to alleged external influences aimed at destabilising the nation.

He said the trend appeared to validate his earlier concerns that bandits’ groups could evolve into full-fledged terrorist organisations, if not decisively addressed.

The cleric also called on the authorities to adopt strategies that would effectively dislodge criminal elements from forest enclaves while ensuring the protection of civilian lives.

Recall that Gumi has been seen going into forests in Northern part of the country to meet with bandits in purported moves to convince them to drop their criminal activities.

He also repeatedly advocated amnesty for bandits responsible for mass murders, abductions and pillaging of properties across the country.

There have been calls for arrest of Gumi by some Nigerians over his association with bandits.

(NAN)