Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi has firmly pushed back against mounting calls for his arrest, insisting that his public comments on banditry arise from years of involvement in peace negotiations rather than any form of wrongdoing. The prominent Islamic cleric said he is being unfairly targeted by individuals who do not understand the depth of his engagement in efforts to restore security in northern Nigeria.
Gumi recounted a major intervention he undertook in January 2021 inside the Sabon Garin Yadi forest in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where he met with more than 600 armed bandits and their commanders. According to him, the meeting was not a secret venture but a coordinated effort involving senior security officials. He said the then Kaduna State Commissioner of Police was fully present during the mission, representing the Inspector-General of Police.
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The cleric revealed that the encounter formed part of a broader peace initiative aimed at reducing attacks, kidnappings, and killings across the North-West. During that meeting, he said, the bandits expressed willingness to lay down their arms if the government could commit to certain basic assurances, including guarantees of safety, fair treatment, and access to social amenities. The bandits, he noted, had been living in conditions of neglect, which fuelled their resentment and violent conduct.
Gumi claimed that despite the positive response from the armed groups during the 2021 dialogue, the government failed to follow through on its promises, causing the peace process to collapse. According to him, many of the bandit commanders felt betrayed when enforcement actions and raids continued despite earlier assurances. He argued that the broken trust worsened the situation and eliminated an opportunity to achieve lasting calm in the region.
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Reacting to renewed calls for his arrest, Gumi described his critics as people who prefer sensationalism over understanding. He said the allegations against him were baseless and designed to discourage voices pushing for alternative solutions to Nigeria’s insecurity. The cleric insisted that nothing in his actions or statements amounts to support for criminals, stressing that his only objective has been to save lives.
He maintained that his engagement with bandits was carried out transparently and with the knowledge of relevant authorities. Gumi added that he documented his peace missions through photographs, videos, and written reports to ensure accountability and to counter any claims of complicity. According to him, those attacking him today either lack the facts or are intentionally misrepresenting his work.
The Islamic scholar also framed the backlash against him as a threat to freedom of expression, noting that silencing mediators could undermine broader national security efforts. He reiterated that dialogue is a legitimate conflict-resolution tool, especially in crises involving non-state armed groups. Gumi argued that negotiation does not equal endorsement and that advocating for peace should never be criminalised.
He emphasised that northern Nigeria’s security challenges cannot be solved through force alone. According to him, addressing root causes such as poverty, illiteracy, and lack of government presence in rural communities is essential. He said many of the bandits he met in 2021 were young men who felt abandoned by the state, a situation he believes requires a multi-dimensional response.
Gumi urged the federal government to reopen channels of communication and incorporate community leaders, religious figures, and security agencies into a coordinated peace framework. He warned that rejecting dialogue entirely could prolong the conflict and increase the suffering of innocent citizens who bear the brunt of attacks. The cleric maintained that Nigeria must choose between endless violence and pragmatic engagement.
As calls for his arrest continue circulating in parts of the media and political space, Gumi insisted he will not be intimidated into silence. He said history will vindicate those who sought peaceful solutions, adding that his conscience is clear. For him, the 2021 meeting with over 600 bandits remains a testament to what could have been achieved if the government had seized the opportunity for lasting reconciliation.
