Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has defended his involvement in dialogue and peace advocacy with armed bandits, insisting that his efforts were aimed at reducing violence and restoring security in northern Nigeria.
Responding to critics who have called for his arrest over his recent comments on insecurity, Gumi, in a Facebook post on Sunday, dismissed such reactions as emotional, baseless, and counterproductive. He described those demanding his detention as “unpatriotic” and accused them of prioritising outrage over evidence-based solutions.
Recounting his previous intervention, Gumi said he led a peace mission to Sabon Garin Yadi forest in Kaduna State in January 2021, where he was accompanied by the then state Commissioner of Police. During the meeting, he said, more than 600 armed bandits and their commanders agreed to surrender if the government provided basic social amenities and security assurances.
According to him, the initiative failed because authorities allegedly did not honour the agreed conditions, resulting in continued violence.
“The aim was to persuade them to abandon violence and reintegrate into society. They agreed to lay down their arms, but none of their conditions were fulfilled,” he stated.
Gumi questioned why engaging non-state armed groups for peace should be grounds for arrest, stressing that freedom of expression and peaceful mediation are constitutional.
He urged citizens and leaders to embrace objective solutions over emotional reactions, warning that silencing dialogue advocates could worsen insecurity.
“May Allah protect our nation from bigotry, stubbornness and intolerance of contrary opinions,” he added.
