In the face of persistent insecurity across parts of Nigeria, particularly in the North, Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has renewed his call for the Nigerian government to pursue peace talks with bandits.
Gumi highlighted the ongoing truce between Israel and Hamas— brokered under global diplomatic pressure.
The cleric, known for his controversial call for negotiating with bandits again emphasised this point in a Facebook post on Monday: “Peace between Israel and Hamas they term as terrorists brokered by USA. Who said there is no peace with terrorists? Make peace with bandits and let us have peace,” he wrote.
In September, Gumi had urged security agencies not to undermine the deal but to assist in guiding the bandits toward peaceful living, drawing parallels to the rehabilitation of militants in the Niger Delta.
The cleric’s statement followed a meeting in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina, where traditional rulers and community leaders engaged directly with some of the bandits in an effort to foster dialogue and stability.
Gumi, speaking in the Hausa language, had said, “Alhamdulillah. News has come that today, Sabuwa Local Government has also held a peace settlement with the bandits in the forests, to establish peace throughout the entire local government area.”
“Those who fuel war, may Allah bring them down. And may the security agencies avoid destroying this peace agreement, but instead teach them how to live in peace, just as was done with the Niger Delta militants. May Allah bring us peace. Ameen,” the cleric added.
In May 2022, Ahmad Gumi, advised the Nigerian government to give terrorists what they want and deserve so as to ensure the safety of kidnap victims in captivity.
Gumi spoke during the special prayers organised by the Jama’iyyar Matan Arewa (JMA), on Thursday in Kaduna for the victims of the 62 abducted passengers of the Abuja-Kaduna train.
The Kaduna-bound train was attacked by terrorists on March 28 and eight persons were killed during the attack. Many others were injured or kidnapped by the terrorists.
According to Gumi, the N25 billion that political aspirants have spent to buy forms should be paid to terrorists.
Gumi had said, “Just imagine now, people are paying up to N25 billion to buy forms instead of using the money to pay ransom for poor Nigerians who cannot pay. Whatever they want, give it to them, so that they release these people and when they release them then, you have the liberty.
“You have the opportunity to deal with them the way they deserve because when they have captives, you have to tread with caution so that their captives will not be injured.”
Banditry should be wiped out completely and those who are encouraging and protecting them should also be fished out and dealt with according to the law of the land. Dealing with bandits in Nigeria requires a multi-faceted approach that involves both short-term and long-term strategies. Here are some effective ways to address banditry:
Community-Led Solutions
Community Engagement: Engage local leaders and influencers to mobilize communities against banditry, promoting awareness and encouraging community members to take action.
Community Policing: Foster partnerships between law enforcement and community members to identify and solve problems related to crime and disorder.
Security Strategies
Intelligence Gathering: Enhance intelligence gathering and sharing among security agencies to track and apprehend bandits.
Specialized Units: Establish specialized units and provide advanced training and equipment for security personnel.
Border Control: Strengthen border control and security to prevent the movement of bandits and their supplies.
Addressing Root Causes
Poverty Alleviation: Implement poverty alleviation programs to reduce the appeal of banditry.
Education and Job Creation: Improve access to education and create job opportunities to provide alternatives to banditry.
Social Inequality: Address social inequality and promote inclusive economic growth.
Rehabilitation and Reintegration
Amnesty Programs: Consider amnesty programs for repentant bandits, providing them with rehabilitation and reintegration support.
Reintegration Support: Establish robust mechanisms for reintegrating bandits into society, including job training and counseling
Collaboration and Partnerships
International Cooperation : Collaborate with international partners to share intelligence and best practices in combating banditry.
Local Partnerships: Partner with local organizations and community groups to support community-led initiatives and provide resources for rehabilitation and reintegration.