Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, has reiterated his concerns about the growing radicalization of bandits in Nigeria. On Saturday, the influential cleric took to his Facebook page to share a disturbing video that showcases bandits celebrating and chanting in Arabic, underlining the dangers he has consistently warned about.
In the video, the bandits appear jubilant, chanting religious slogans that Sheikh Gumi suggests could indicate their increasing radicalization. The cleric, who has previously advocated for dialogue and negotiation with the bandits as a means to address the security crisis in the North, emphasized the urgent need for the government to intervene before the situation escalates further. Sheikh Gumi has long been a controversial figure in the discussions around Nigeria’s security challenges, particularly regarding his stance on engaging with bandits.
Sheikh Gumi wrote,
“Initially, bandits were fighting an ethnic war that could be resolved. I warned if the kinetic [approach] is intensified, they will turn into ideologically motivated guerilla warfare. Nobody listened.” He noted the shift in the nature of the conflict, emphasising the complexities of ideological warfare.
“The difference between the former and the latter is that ideological war is almost intractable; Boko Haram (BH) is an example. They commit the same crime, but this time, they think they are serving God. The picture is gloomy,” he added. This statement comes amid ongoing concerns about the increasing radicalisation of bandits in Nigeria.
