Islamic cleric, Ahmad Abubakar Mahmoud Gumi, on Monday denied claims that he is in tacit support of the lingering banditry in Nigeria.
- +Gumi denies backing banditry, threatens legal actions
He rather questioned what he described as overreliance on military operations over the last 17 years, which he said had failed to produce lasting peace, particularly since the Boko Haram insurgency escalated in 2009.
He rather questioned what he described as overreliance on military operations over the last 17 years, which he said had failed to produce lasting peace, particularly since the Boko Haram insurgency escalated in 2009.
“If the kinetic approach is not working for 17 years, why don’t we change the approach?” he asked.
He denied allegations linking him to banditry and terrorism, insisting that his comments on insecurity and dialogue with armed groups have been repeatedly misrepresented by critics and some online content creators.
Addressing journalists in Kaduna, Gumi said manipulated video clips, distorted statements and sensational headlines were being circulated to falsely portray him as sympathetic to criminal groups.
“I hereby state unequivocally that any video clip, written statement, or message attributed to me, whether directly or by innuendo, suggesting support for, justification of, protection of, or advocacy for banditry or terrorism in Nigeria or anywhere else does not emanate from me,” he said.
He warned that anyone who continues to circulate falsehoods against him from the date of the statement would face legal action.
“I therefore urge the general public, the media, and the Nigerian state to disregard such fake, manipulated and doctored materials currently in circulation,” he added.
Gumi stated that he remains a loyal citizen committed to the peace and unity of Nigeria, expressing hope that victims of insecurity would eventually find justice and comfort through collective efforts aimed at ending violence across the country.
During a question-and-answer session, the cleric defended his long-standing advocacy for a non-kinetic approach to tackling banditry and insurgency.
He said states such as Katsina and Zamfara attempted negotiations in the past but failed because authorities merely offered money to armed groups without implementing broader rehabilitation and reintegration programmes.
“Let’s engage them. Let’s dislodge them from the forest. Let’s take their children and put them in school. Let’s do something different,” he said.
