Islamic Cleric, Gumi Urges Tinubu’s Government To Grant Amnesty to Bandits

Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has urged the Federal Government to consider granting amnesty to armed bandits as part of efforts to address Nigeria’s prolonged insecurity crisis. Gumi argued that years of military operations against banditry and insurgency have failed to produce lasting peace across affected northern communities.

Speaking during a press conference in Kaduna, Gumi said the government should adopt a rehabilitation and reintegration strategy similar to the programme previously introduced for repentant Boko Haram members.

According to him, some bandits have indicated willingness to surrender their weapons if they are guaranteed protection from arrest and possible retaliation.

The Islamic scholar questioned the effectiveness of relying solely on military force, insisting that dialogue, education, and social intervention may produce better results in tackling insecurity.

He also suggested that poverty, ignorance, and social injustice remain major drivers of violence and criminality in parts of northern Nigeria.

Gumi’s comments have already sparked fresh national debate, with critics arguing that granting amnesty to bandits could encourage criminality and undermine justice for victims of kidnappings and attacks. Supporters of dialogue, however, believe negotiation could help reduce violence and encourage disarmament in troubled regions.