Sheikh Ahmad Gumi on Saturday reopened the national argument over whether Nigeria should hold direct talks with Boko Haram insurgents and bandits.
The Islamic cleric said the approach used to calm militancy in the Niger Delta should also be considered in the North. He argued that past leaders showed dialogue could work alongside military action and questioned why similar efforts are rejected for insurgents and bandits.
In a Facebook post, Gumi pointed to former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, who met armed groups in the Niger Delta before wider peace efforts began.
“The former President Jonathan visited delta militants in the creeks, as did the former Vice-President Osinbajo. They all came up with a program to tame the militants,” he wrote.
He then asked, “Who is going to visit BH and Bandits to tame them without fools castigating them?”
Gumi has long supported negotiations with armed groups, a position that has kept him at the center of public debate. While many security experts believe military force should remain the main response, the Kaduna-based cleric says dialogue can reduce violence, encourage fighters to surrender and help achieve lasting peace.
Many Nigerians disagree, arguing that negotiating with groups linked to killings and kidnappings could give them legitimacy and deny justice to victims. Others say Gumi’s efforts have helped secure the release of kidnapped victims and believe talks should remain one option available to the government.
The retired military officer has repeatedly denied supporting terrorism or banditry, insisting his meetings with armed groups are only meant to end violence and convince fighters to abandon their actions.
His latest comments come as the Federal Government continues military operations against insurgents, while renewed attacks by Boko Haram, ISWAP and bandits keep parts of northern Nigeria under pressure.
