*uurges FG to ignore Trump’s genocidal threat targeted at Nigeria’s oil
By Adeyinka Adeniran
Popular Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has denied supporting bandits, insisting that he is only involved in peace efforts, as calls for his arrest intensified.
The Nation reports that the call for his arrest is coming amid a fresh wave of kidnappings across northern Nigeria that has forced school closures and renewed security crackdowns by the Federal Government.
He spoke during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, which was monitored.
He rejected recent calls for his arrest, following the recent sentencing of the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu to life imprisonment while Yoruba Nation Agitator, Sunday Igboho was silenced by the government.
He said his engagement with armed groups does not amounts to endorsement, saying his role was strictly humanitarian and conflict-resolution based.
Gumi said, “I am absolutely a peacemaker. I don’t want bloodshed. Nigerians forget that our military men are dying too. We recently lost a Brigadier General because of a stalemate with Boko Haram.
“These terrorists are supported by international interest groups who supply them logistics, weapons and intelligence. So, we are not fighting a ragtag group, we are fighting an international network.”
The cleric argued that many armed herders lacked channels to express grievances, forcing them into violent confrontations.
“It is like a doctor explaining an illness. People accuse the doctor of supporting the sickness. Understanding their side is the only way to propose a cure,” Gumi added.
He said dialogue remained the only sustainable approach to resolving the crisis, warning that military force alone would not end the conflict.
“Peace is still sweeter than war. Many of these fighters believe they are ready to die. We must show them the value of peace, education, hospitals and a better life. Their brutality is a sign of weakness, not strength,” he said.
On the allegation of global links to insecurity in Nigeria, the cleric maintained that terrorist activities were not isolated from foreign interests, saying, “Boko Haram, yes. There are professional, international interests involved, foreign bodies that supply them weapons and intelligence. The bandits, on the other hand, have more rudimentary weapons.”
Speaking on the United States genocidal claim by President Donald Trump, Gumi dismissed the claim that Nigeria was experiencing a religious war, describing the narrative as misleading. “There is no Christian-Muslim war in Nigeria. Anyone pushing that narrative is not telling the truth,” he said, describing the claim as uninformed.
“Trump is not to be taken seriously. He accused Nigeria before any investigation. America is after oil, both ours and Venezuela’s. Nigerians should not be excited about foreign interference,” he added.
Responding to his controversial visits to bandit camps, Gumi insisted that he acted with the knowledge and invitation of government authorities.
“People do not know the full story. I was invited by the Zamfara State Government to help negotiate peace. We went with police, officials and the press. We sat with them only to hear their grievances. Many who shout online do not know the context,” he said.
He further defended recent military withdrawals during some attacks, citing tactical considerations.
To Gumi, “A platoon of nine soldiers cannot fight 300 bandits. The military sometimes must tactically withdraw to avoid unnecessary deaths. The bigger issue is lack of air support and drones.”
On the way forward, Gumi called for a structured amnesty programme similar to that of the Niger Delta, saying, “Amnesty helps you identify the fighters and give them reasons to drop arms. You cannot fight a ghost enemy forever. Many herders fear arrest if they surrender. We need real dialogue to address their grievances,” he said.
While proposing phased ranching supported by government infrastructure, Gumi added, saying, “We do not even have the resources to educate the young people already sitting peacefully with us. How then do we expect to ranch all the cattle in Nigeria? We must start with grazing routes and model ranches. If we create model ranches, herders will adopt them naturally,” he said.
Gumi however warned against foreign military involvement, arguing that Nigeria must resolve its security problems internally. “American military intervention will worsen things. Boko Haram is sponsored from outside, but herders are local and driven by survival. We should resolve the herder crisis internally,” he stated.
The scholar maintained that his interventions were not financially motivated, saying, “If I wanted money, I would join politics. I was a military captain. I am a medical doctor. I am not jobless and I do not need money from this,” he said.
As pressure mounts over the worsening insecurity and renewed calls for his arrest, Gumi insisted that his only interest remains stopping bloodshed and restoring peace in conflict-ravaged communities across the North.
