Controversial Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has urged the Federal Government to create a six-month amnesty window for terrorists and bandits willing to surrender their weapons.
Gumi made the call in a video circulating online while discussing Nigeria’s security crisis and questioning the government’s heavy reliance on military action.
“Why can’t we negotiate with them? If I’m the president, I will announce that I’m giving a six-month amnesty window for all the terrorists and bandits to put down their weapons,” Gumi said.
He said Nigeria should develop its own solution to insecurity rather than depend on international standards, citing negotiations with groups such as the Taliban and Hamas.
“You negotiate. You negotiate with Taliban, you negotiate with Hamas, you negotiate with everybody where you have problems. Why can’t we negotiate with them?” he said.
Gumi also called for education, healthcare, registration and economic opportunities for former fighters and their children. He argued that funds spent on military equipment could instead improve their livelihoods.
“Let me tell you, $5 million, keeping a lot of them busy after the rehabilitation with cows would have gone a long way to end insecurity in Nigeria,” he said.
He recalled former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s 2011 meeting with Boko Haram figures in Maiduguri, saying they agreed to surrender but the government failed to act.
Gumi has repeatedly backed dialogue, despite criticism from leaders, including former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
