Prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has asserted that the Nigerian military cannot achieve victory over armed bandits through force alone, advocating instead for dialogue as the only sustainable solution to the country’s worsening security crisis, particularly in the northwest.
In an exclusive interview with the BBC, Gumi emphasized that modern armies globally face significant challenges when combating guerrilla-style insurgencies, and Nigeria is no exception.
“Even the military acknowledges that only about 25% of resolving such civil unrest and criminality relies on kinetic action,” he stated. “The remainder depends on government intervention, political will, and local community engagement. The military cannot shoulder this burden alone.”
He further argued, “Where in the world has a military successfully eradicated guerrilla fighters? Nowhere.”
These comments come amid sweeping security reforms initiated by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which include changes in military leadership and the declaration of a nationwide security emergency aimed at dismantling violent groups responsible for widespread kidnappings, extortion, and attacks on rural communities.
Gumi also addressed longstanding allegations of maintaining ties with bandit leaders, clarifying that he has had no contact with them since 2021—the year the federal government officially designated these groups as terrorist organizations.
“I never acted alone in previous engagements,” he explained. “In 2021, I attempted to facilitate dialogue to unify these factions, but the federal government at the time showed no interest. Once they were declared terrorists, we completely severed all contact.”
Despite accusations that his approach emboldens armed groups and weakens state authority, Gumi maintains that negotiating with non-state actors is an established international practice.
“Those who claim ‘we don’t negotiate with terrorists’—I’m not sure where that idea originates. It isn’t rooted in religious texts like the Bible or the Quran,” he noted. “The United States negotiated with the Taliban in Qatar. If dialogue can prevent bloodshed, it is a necessary step.”
Gumi described the armed groups operating in the northwest and expanding into other regions as predominantly Fulani herdsmen engaged in what he termed an “existential war,” driven by threats to their traditional cattle-rearing livelihoods.
“Their entire way of life is at stake. They understand grazing patterns and cattle care—this is their existence,” he said, noting that the conflict has escalated from localized farmer-herder disputes into large-scale criminality.
The cleric has previously drawn public criticism for engaging with bandits and for controversial statements, including his earlier remark that kidnapping schoolchildren constitutes a “lesser evil” compared to killing soldiers.
As security operations continue across affected regions, Gumi’s remarks underscore ongoing debates about the most effective strategies to address Nigeria’s multifaceted security challenges.
