Islamic cleric says armed groups view the killings as a cycle of revenge and retaliation, urging authorities to build confidence in those willing to abandon violence.
Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has said some bandits he has spoken to claim they are unable to stop killing because they fear being killed if they abandon their violent activities.
Gumi said the armed men expressed dissatisfaction with the bloodshed but believed they were trapped in a cycle of revenge following attacks on their communities.
The cleric made the remarks during an interview on PAPShow, published on 29 October, excerpts of which circulated widely on social media on Tuesday.
“One of the bandits was telling us the bloodshed is too much,” Gumi said, adding that the armed men claimed they felt compelled to continue the violence.
He said the groups had complained about military operations and attacks by vigilantes, alleging that women and children in their communities had also been killed.
According to Gumi, the grievances had fuelled a pattern of retaliatory attacks, with each side responding to violence with further violence.
He argued that the situation required renewed efforts to persuade the armed groups to surrender their weapons and embrace peace.
When asked why the bandits could not simply stop killing, Gumi said they feared being killed if they abandoned their activities.
He called on authorities and religious leaders to reassure those willing to surrender that their lives would be protected.
The cleric also raised concerns about the proliferation of weapons among armed groups, alleging that rival factions were competing to acquire more powerful firearms.
He suggested that financial support could be helping to sustain the arms race but did not identify any alleged sponsors.
Gumi further claimed that foreign intelligence agencies might be involved in supplying weapons to armed groups, although he provided no evidence to substantiate the allegation.
Calls for dialogue amid persistent insecurity
Banditry remains a major security challenge in northern Nigeria, particularly in the North-West, where armed groups have carried out killings, kidnappings and attacks on rural communities.
Gumi has repeatedly advocated dialogue as a means of ending the violence, arguing that military operations alone cannot resolve the crisis.
However, his approach has attracted criticism from Nigerians who believe negotiations with armed groups could undermine accountability and encourage further criminal activity.
His latest comments have renewed debate over how the government can end the killings, protect vulnerable communities and persuade armed groups to abandon violence.
While Gumi argues that confidence-building measures could encourage surrender, the protection of victims and accountability for killings and kidnappings remain central concerns in efforts to restore security.
