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Akinwande Soji-Ojo
Prominent Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has reiterated his warning about the dangers of radicalising the bandits.
In a post on his Facebook page, Gumi shared a video showing bandits celebrating and chanting in Arabic, highlighting his earlier cautionary stance on the issue.
“Initially, bandits were fighting an ethnic war that could be resolved. I warned if the kinetic [approach] is intensified, they will turn into ideologically motivated guerilla warfare. Nobody listened,” he wrote.
Gumi’s statement came amid the ongoing concerns about insecurity and ncreasing radicalisation of bandits in the country.
The cleric has been known for his controversial stance of advocating for negotiations with the bandits, including those responsible for the abduction of schoolchildren in Kaduna State.
Gumi has consistently called for dialogue with bandits, arguing that a kinetic military approach could lead to further escalation and entrenchment of ideological motivations, making resolution more difficult.
