We can no longer negotiate with bandits – Gumi

Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has criticised the Nigerian government for declaring bandits as terrorists, saying the decision has shut the door against negotiation.

Gumi, who became known for visiting bandits in their hideouts and advocating dialogue with them, said in a viral video that clerics could no longer intervene in the crisis because the government had closed the only remaining channel for talks.

According to him, declaring bandits as terrorists could worsen the situation, as it may push them further into violent extremism and make negotiation impossible.

“We don’t want to push them into terror beyond what they are doing now because it can get worse,” Gumi said.

“They have shown us their willingness to negotiate, so people that are ready to negotiate, why are you rushing to declare them bandits so that you can use whatever weapons you bought?”

The cleric said bandits had, in the past, shown a willingness to engage with authorities, adding that some of them once helped in the arrest of Boko Haram members in Zamfara State.

“Before, they used to catch Boko Haram and present them to the authorities in Zamfara, but now they are all terrorists,” he said.

Gumi warned that the decision had permanently blocked clerics from acting as intermediaries between the government and the armed groups.

“Secondly, the only door that is remaining is for us clergy to go in and negotiate with them; that is closed permanently,” he added.