Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has disclosed that some bandits he engaged with expressed dissatisfaction with the continued killings in Nigeria but claimed they were compelled to sustain their attacks because of violence against members of their communities.
Gumi said the armed groups regarded the killings as a cycle of revenge and retaliation, adding that some feared they would be killed if they abandoned their criminal activities.
The cleric made the disclosure during an interview on PAPShow, published on October 29, excerpts of which circulated widely on social media on Tuesday.
Recounting his encounter with one of the armed men, Gumi said the bandit acknowledged that the killings had become excessive but maintained that members of the group felt they had no choice but to continue fighting.
“One of the bandits was telling us the bloodshed is too much. They, too, are not happy. And they say they are forced to do it,” he said.
Explaining the reasons behind their grievances, Gumi said the bandits accused security operatives of killing women and children during military operations initially aimed at tackling cattle rustling in their communities.
He recalled that the armed men questioned the killing of their relatives by security personnel and local vigilantes.
“But why did they kill their women and children? Why are they killing their women and children? Why are the vigilantes arresting them and killing them? Why?” he quoted them as asking.
According to the cleric, the armed groups perceived the violence as an ongoing cycle of attacks and counterattacks, which had deepened hostility between them and affected communities.
“So, they feel it’s a field of blood, revenge, attack and counterattack,” he said.
Gumi argued that ending the violence would require dialogue and negotiations, urging religious leaders to encourage the opposing sides to embrace peaceful engagement.
“So, we, as clergy, our own duty is to look at how to stop it. Let’s stop the bloodshed. Let’s come to the table,” he said.
When asked why the bandits could not simply abandon their activities, the cleric said some feared they would be killed if they surrendered or stopped participating in the violence.
“Because they thought they were killed. So, we need to reaffirm to them, to put confidence in them that they will not be killed,” he added.
On the proliferation of weapons among armed groups, Gumi alleged that financial support and competition among rival factions were contributing to the acquisition of increasingly sophisticated firearms.
Asked whether individuals were sponsoring the bandits, he responded that such a possibility could not be ruled out.
“It’s possible now. You know, it’s possible now,” he said.
He explained that rival groups were engaged in an arms race, with each faction seeking to acquire more weapons to establish superiority over others.
“They buy more weapons because there’s an arms race between them. You know, there are different groups. There’s an arms race. So, this den has more machine guns than this one. So, they should fear them,” Gumi said.
On the sources of their weapons, the cleric claimed that the armed groups obtained firearms through illegal markets, comparing the trade to the illicit drug business.
“Well, it’s a black market, like drugs. It’s a black market. If you just have the money, you get them,” he said.
Gumi also alleged that foreign intelligence agencies might be involved in supplying weapons to armed groups operating in Nigeria, although he did not provide evidence to substantiate the claim.
“Foreign intelligence definitely have a hand in it,” he alleged.
Asked whether foreign countries could be arming bandits and terrorists in Nigeria, he said “It’s possible,” adding that countries with interests in Nigeria could potentially be involved.
Banditry remains a major security challenge in northern Nigeria, particularly in the North-West, where armed groups have continued to carry out killings, kidnappings, cattle rustling and attacks on rural communities.
Gumi has previously engaged with some armed groups as part of his advocacy for dialogue and negotiations to end insecurity. However, his approach has attracted criticism from Nigerians who argue that negotiating with bandits could undermine efforts to prosecute those responsible for killings, kidnappings and other violent crimes.
