Sheikh Gumi has called on the Federal Government to consider negotiating with bandits and terrorists as part of efforts to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
Speaking during an interview, Gumi argued that Nigeria should treat insecurity as an internal problem and develop solutions without allowing international opinions to dictate its approach.
According to him, the government should be open to dialogue with armed groups, citing negotiations used by other countries to resolve conflicts involving militant organisations.
Gumi also claimed that former President Olusegun Obasanjo once met with Boko Haram leaders in Maiduguri, where they allegedly agreed to lay down their arms, but the government failed to follow through.
He proposed that the government give the groups a six-month window to surrender their weapons before beginning rehabilitation programmes.
“Otherwise, if I’m the president, I would just come and announce, I’ve given 6 month amnesty window for them to put down their weapons, we’ll do everything.”
Gumi further suggested that schools could be built for the children of the armed groups, including in forest communities, as part of efforts to encourage them to abandon violence.
“Why can’t we negotiate with them?” he asked, insisting that dialogue should be explored as one of the possible ways of ending the crisis.
His comments have sparked mixed reactions online, with some social media users questioning the idea of granting amnesty to bandits while others supported dialogue as a possible solution.
JockNom John Sani: If the gods wants to kill a man they make him mad. This one is mad na 😏
Onyeulo Chijindu: You’re already President by Proxy Sir. His Excellency please carry on oooo
John Ediomo: My question is why this man is still moving freely
Christian Ukwuoma: So if they refuse, tell us what you will do next…
Destiny Nankat: Is there anything about this religion that’s not terrorism?
Adeboye Bakare: During Buhari era, we saw how some governors in the north negotiate with bandits, at the end of d day, it yield no results
Amos Danjuma: Amnesty on what grounds? What are they fighting for?
Solomon Chukwudi Ogbonna: If they don’t comply after 6 months, what next?
Nicholas Asejodeya: No same country negotiates with terrorists.
Heart Anthony: Gumi is making sense
Ijoba Olarinoye: Yes, he’s right
Abduulqqadir Mosani: Ehe after 6 months?
Sodiq Osolo: President of the North
Banky Ibb: Now the heat is very high
DerickLera: He de mad, na so he go enter sit come begin dey talk nonsense
