Prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has declared that negotiations with bandits are no longer a viable option in addressing Nigeria's worsening security challenges, attributing the collapse of previous peace initiatives to the Federal Government's handling of the crisis.
Speaking on the country's security situation, Gumi said efforts to engage armed groups through dialogue had largely failed due to what he described as the government's inability to build trust and implement sustainable reintegration programmes for repentant bandits.
The cleric, who has consistently advocated dialogue as a pathway to peace, argued that military operations alone have not succeeded in ending banditry and other forms of violent crimes across the country. According to him, a combination of security measures, rehabilitation, education, and economic opportunities is necessary to achieve lasting peace.
Gumi further blamed the government for neglecting the underlying causes of insecurity, including poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, and social exclusion. He maintained that addressing these challenges remains critical to ending the cycle of violence.
His remarks come amid the Federal Government's renewed commitment to intensify military operations against terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has repeatedly assured Nigerians that his administration will not yield to threats posed by criminal groups and remains committed to safeguarding lives and property.
The cleric's position has continued to generate debate among security experts and political stakeholders, with some supporting dialogue as a conflict-resolution strategy, while others insist that bandits should be confronted solely through force and prosecution.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with insecurity in several parts of the country, the debate over the most effective approach to restoring peace remains a subject of national concern.
