Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has revealed that his negotiations with bandits consistently take place in the presence of police and government officials.
When asked in an exclusive interview with Sunday PUNCH why he has taken the matter of speaking to terrorists seriously, Gumi said, “I am in the eye of the storm, and I am a full-fledged Nigerian. I also have an interest in peace and tranquility. I cannot wait for the official narrative because I have been in the army and I know how things go.
“Today, 90 per cent of our intelligence is garbage. What we have left is just about 10 per cent. That is why we have coups because intelligence does not have a way to identify these people.
“They also killed their leaders because no intelligence picked them up. Can we wait until we get a government that understands, then, we can make plans to intervene and see if it can calm nerves to achieve peace. No, as individuals, we have to do our best. Then I can advise the government on what we have seen.
“One thing Nigerians should understand is that I have never been to any den of these people without officials of the government. I go with the police because one cannot go alone; you must go with them.
“Only that they will tell you there is a perimeter—don’t come with some of them. Sometimes, I also go with traditional institutions and state government officials. My plan is only to broker peace with them. They open their doors for us to sit and discuss issues.”
This revelation comes as killings and kidnappings continue to rise in northern Nigeria, despite the government’s heavy expenditure on security.
Gumi criticised the government’s reliance on military solutions, likening it to administering the wrong medicine for an illness.
“No matter how many expensive drugs you give to patients, if they are not the right drugs, they will not get cured,” he explained, stressing that the banditry problem is rooted in social issues.
He further noted that most bandits are young, and the situation demands dialogue rather than military intervention.
“When a society is neglected until it becomes harmful, like the military, the next line of action is dialogue,” Gumi said.
He questioned the government for insisting on military action when the bandits are open to negotiation, urging a change in approach.
“It is really useless when we spend our money on modern gadgets, intelligence gathering, and all that; we are going astray,” Gumi remarked, suggesting that expanding the police force would be a more effective solution.
Gumi also warned that using the military in guerrilla warfare is counterproductive.
“Using the military to fight a guerrilla war is like punishing the military,” he said.
He elaborated on his negotiation strategy, noting that approaching bandits as a preacher opens their hearts to discussions.
“When one approaches them as a negotiator or a preacher, they open their hearts,” Gumi added.
He expressed concern over the bandits’ increasing religious motivations, citing their chants of “Allahu Akbar” as a worrying sign.
Addressing allegations of political sponsorship of terrorists, Gumi firmly denied such claims, saying, “No politician is sponsoring these people. We are all victims.” He attributed the violence to longstanding neglect and deprivation.
