Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi has suggested that clerics can no longer serve as intermediaries between the government and armed bandits following the decision to classify the groups as terrorists.
Speaking in a video that has circulated widely online, Gumi criticised the policy of designating bandit groups as terrorist organisations, warning that such a move could complicate efforts aimed at dialogue and peaceful resolution.
According to him, negotiations had previously offered an opportunity to engage armed groups and encourage them to abandon criminal activities.
“We don’t want to push them into terror beyond what they are doing now because it can get worse,” Gumi said.
He argued that some of the groups had indicated a willingness to engage in discussions and questioned the rush to label them terrorists.
“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,” he said.
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The cleric also claimed that some bandit groups had in the past assisted security efforts against insurgents operating in the North-West.
“Before they used to catch Boko Haram and present them to the authorities in Zamfara, but now they are all terrorists,” Gumi said.
He maintained that religious leaders who previously attempted to mediate between the authorities and armed groups can no longer perform that role under the current circumstances.
“Secondly, the only door that is remaining is for us clergy to go in and negotiate with them, that is closed permanently,” he said.
Gumi has in the past attracted public attention for visiting bandit camps and advocating dialogue as part of efforts to address insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria.
His latest comments come amid ongoing military operations against bandit and terrorist groups across the country.