By Abiola Olawale
Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has defended his role as a peace broker with armed groups, revealing that he once facilitated the surrender of over 600 bandits to the Nigerian government.
In a statement released on Sunday, Sheikh Gumi slammed his critics, describing those demanding his detention as “spineless, irresponsible, and unpatriotic,” insisting that his engagement with the criminal elements was a genuine effort toward de-escalating violence and was in the national interest.
The cleric detailed a major intervention he led in January 2021 in the Sabon Garin Yadi forest in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
He said the loudest voices demanding that he be picked up by security agencies are driven by bigotry, ignorance, and intolerance for differing viewpoints.
“ARREST HIM!!! These are the only words some spineless, irresponsible, and unpatriotic imbecilic people can utter,” he wrote, arguing that his critics have chosen to politicise his peace efforts rather than reflect on Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
“I was at Sabon Garin Yadi forest, accompanied by the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police… This meeting was part of a peace initiative where we preached to over 600 bandits and their commanders, who agreed to lay down their arms in exchange for security and basic amenities,” he said.
The cleric insisted that the negotiation was transparent, legitimate, and conducted with the approval and knowledge of the authorities.
He stressed that the conditions presented by the bandits, provision of basic amenities, protection from arbitrary arrests, and assurances of safety, were never honoured by the government, leading to the collapse of the peace window.
He expressed frustration that instead of interrogating why the authorities failed to implement agreed conditions, some Nigerians prefer to target him personally.
“The purpose of the meeting was an effort to de-escalate violence by having bandits surrender their weapons and embrace peace.
“The outcome was that over 600 bandits agreed to lay down their arms. They presented conditions to the government… None fulfilled”, he said.
Gumi questioned why his mediation efforts, which he said were undertaken in the national interest, should provoke calls for his arrest.
“So, what is there to arrest for? For calling them to lay arms or amenities for them, or to educate the nation on their side of the story?.
“Is free speech no longer part of our constitutional right? Is their call for arrest not also prejudiced and an incitement to more violence?” he queried.
