Gumi Says Bandits Fear Abandoning Violence Could Lead to Their Death

Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has said some bandits he has interacted with believe they cannot abandon violence because they fear being killed if they stop their attacks. Gumi explained that the armed groups described the continued bloodshed as a cycle of revenge and retaliation, claiming that attacks on their communities had pushed them to continue fighting.

He made the remarks during an interview on PAPShow, published on October 29, extracts of which began circulating widely on social media on Tuesday.

According to the cleric, some of the bandits admitted that they were unhappy with the level of violence but believed they had little choice but to continue. Gumi recalled that one of the armed men acknowledged that the killings had become excessive, while maintaining that their group felt compelled to sustain the attacks.

He said the bandits also complained about military operations in their communities, alleging that women and children had been killed during efforts initially aimed at addressing cattle rustling. The cleric said the armed men viewed the incidents as part of a continuing cycle of attacks and counterattacks involving different groups.

He argued that ending the violence would require dialogue and negotiations, adding that religious leaders had a responsibility to encourage peaceful discussions between the conflicting sides. Gumi maintained that the armed groups needed assurances that they would not be killed if they surrendered or abandoned their violent activities. He said their fear of possible retaliation was one of the reasons they believed they could not simply stop fighting.

The cleric also raised concerns about the growing availability of weapons among armed groups, alleging that competition between rival factions was contributing to the acquisition of more sophisticated firearms. When asked whether individuals were financing the groups, Gumi said it was possible, explaining that money obtained by the armed men could be used to purchase weapons. He further claimed that the groups obtained firearms through illegal markets, where weapons could be acquired by those with sufficient money.

Gumi also alleged that foreign intelligence agencies might be involved in supplying weapons to armed groups in Nigeria. However, he did not provide evidence to substantiate the claim. Banditry remains a major security challenge in northern Nigeria, particularly in the North-West, where armed groups have been linked to killings, kidnappings and attacks on rural communities. Gumi has previously engaged with some of the armed groups and advocated dialogue as a way of ending the violence. His approach has attracted criticism from Nigerians who believe negotiations with bandits could weaken efforts to hold those responsible for criminal activities accountable.