Sheikh Gumi Urges FG to Pay Bandits to Guard Forests, Calls Insecurity a Tribal War

 

🌍 Sheikh Gumi Urges FG to Pay Bandits to Guard Forests, Calls Insecurity a Tribal War

By Dr. Odimientimi Agbedeyi

In a fresh and controversial submission, Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has once again stirred national debate by declaring that Nigeria is not merely battling insecurity but is embroiled in what he termed a “tribal war.” Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Gumi urged the Federal Government to consider granting amnesty to bandits, insisting that the same template applied to Niger Delta militants could be replicated to restore peace.

The cleric, known for his outspoken and unorthodox positions on Nigeria’s security challenges, said that instead of labeling herdsmen and bandits as mere criminals, the government must acknowledge the deeper ethnic and tribal dimensions fueling the crisis. According to him, the FG should remain neutral in this so-called tribal war if peace is to be achieved.

“What you call banditry, when you cross to the other side, you discover Nigeria is fighting a tribal war and government is supposed to be the mediator. The moment government takes side, it becomes part of the conflict,” Gumi stressed.

He pointed out that atrocities are not only committed by armed bandits but also by members of other communities against ordinary herdsmen across the country. Gumi cited instances in Oyo, Anambra, and other regions where herders were lynched, noting that such incidents worsen mistrust and fuel cycles of violence.

Proposal: Bandits as Forest Guards

In a bold suggestion, Gumi called on the federal government to integrate the same herdsmen it currently fights into a formal security arrangement by paying them to guard Nigeria’s forests. He drew a parallel with the Niger Delta experience, where militants who once vandalized oil pipelines were later engaged to protect those same facilities.

“Now, the herdsmen are controlling a big chunk of land whereby they are preventing farmers from farming. As the Niger Delta is important to the economy, these herdsmen are also becoming important. They can guard the forests. They have qualities we can tap from,” Gumi asserted.

The cleric dismissed previous amnesty programs granted to bandits, particularly by Governor Bello Masari of Katsina State, describing them as “political amnesties” without meaningful rehabilitation packages. He argued that unless a structured and sustainable plan for livelihood is created, the violence will continue.

National Reactions and Concerns

Gumi’s position is not new, but each time it resurfaces, it reignites fiery debates. While some view his suggestions as pragmatic and rooted in conflict resolution, many Nigerians see it as an attempt to legitimize terrorism and embolden criminals who have inflicted untold suffering on citizens through killings, kidnappings, and rapes.

Critics argue that putting weapons in the hands of bandits under the guise of forest protection could worsen insecurity. Others, however, insist that the government must explore every possible avenue—including negotiation and amnesty—if the endless cycle of violence is to end.

Conclusion

Nigeria stands at a delicate crossroads where insecurity continues to undermine economic growth, social stability, and public confidence in governance. Sheikh Gumi’s call to view insecurity as a tribal war and to engage bandits as forest guards may sound unconventional, but it reflects the depth of Nigeria’s security dilemma and the urgent need for fresh strategies.

Whether the government chooses to adopt or dismiss his advice, one thing is clear: Nigeria must address insecurity with a balance of justice, fairness, and innovation—without compromising national security or legitimizing impunity.

---

Source: Daily Newspaper

Tags: #SheikhGumi #Insecurity #Bandits #Nigeria #Amnesty