Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has dismissed renewed calls for his arrest, accusing critics of distorting his role in efforts to address banditry in Nigeria. The Islamic scholar emphasized that his engagement with armed groups was part of a broader peace initiative carried out with the knowledge and approval of security authorities.
Public debate resurfaced over the weekend after Gumi reiterated his support for dialogue as a legitimate approach to ending rural violence. Posting on his Facebook page, he criticised those demanding his detention for meeting with bandit leaders, describing their campaign against him as an “emotional outburst” that overlooks prior attempts to quell violence in Northern Nigeria.
Gumi rejected allegations that he sympathizes with criminals, emphasizing that his efforts focused on calming tensions and encouraging offenders to surrender. He referenced a January 2021 meeting in the Sabon Garin Yadi forest, Kaduna State, where he and the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police engaged over 600 armed men, who agreed to cease attacks if the government fulfilled certain conditions.
“This meeting was a peace initiative conducted with full transparency and approval by relevant authorities,” Gumi stated. “We preached peace, and the bandits agreed to lay down arms in exchange for security and basic amenities.”
The cleric also questioned why calls for his arrest persisted, arguing that his mediation seeks to reduce violence and serves national interests. “What is there to arrest me for? Calling for them to lay down arms, or explaining their side of the story?” he asked.
He condemned the failure of authorities to fulfill promises made to the bandits, which he said led to the breakdown of the peace process. Gumi encouraged Nigerians to focus on constructive solutions rather than personal attacks fueled by anger.
Highlighting the constitutional right to free speech, Gumi challenged critics who equate divergent opinions with criminality, warning that such intolerance risks inciting more violence.
He concluded by praying for national unity and a society that respects differing views, urging all citizens to prioritize peace over hostility.
