Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has once again stirred public debate after saying that bandits terrorising northern Nigeria are on a “revenge mission” and not acting without reason. He also claimed that, unlike the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), bandits are open to dialogue and are not seeking to break away from Nigeria.
Sheikh Gumi made the remarks during an interview on Trust TV on Friday. His comments have drawn mixed reactions across the country, as he is known for expressing views that many Nigerians see as sympathetic to bandits and other armed groups.
According to Gumi, bandits operating in parts of the North-West and North-Central regions are motivated by grievances and a desire for revenge, rather than by pure cruelty or criminal intent. He argued that understanding their mindset is important for finding a lasting solution to the insecurity facing the region.
“You see, if you know their psychology, they are on a revenge mission,” Gumi said during the interview. He insisted that the attackers do not strike communities without a reason, adding that their actions are linked to past injustices.
The cleric, who has repeatedly called for dialogue with armed groups, said Fulani herdsmen had lived peacefully with other ethnic groups in Nigeria for centuries. According to him, the current wave of violence is a reaction to what he described as long-standing mistreatment and neglect.
“For hundreds of years, Fulani herdsmen lived peacefully with other communities,” Gumi said. “What we are seeing today is a response to injustices they believe they have suffered.”
Banditry has become one of Nigeria’s most serious security challenges, especially in states such as Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina, Niger, and parts of Kebbi and Sokoto. Armed groups have been linked to mass kidnappings, killings, cattle rustling, and attacks on villages. Thousands of people have been killed, while many others have been forced to flee their homes.
Despite several military operations launched by successive governments, bandit attacks have continued, raising questions about the effectiveness of the current security approach.
Gumi has long argued that military force alone will not end the crisis. He has consistently called for amnesty, dialogue, and negotiation with bandits, similar to approaches used in other conflicts. His stance, however, has angered many Nigerians, especially victims of bandit attacks, who see such views as excusing violence.
During the interview, Gumi urged the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to change its strategy. He suggested that instead of fighting bandits with force, the government should consider unifying and rehabilitating them into the Nigerian Army.
According to him, engaging the armed groups and offering them a path back into society would be more effective than continued military offensives. He said dialogue could help reduce violence and bring peace to affected areas.
However, critics argue that integrating bandits into the military would reward criminal behaviour and undermine justice for victims. Many security experts also warn that such a move could weaken discipline within the armed forces and encourage others to take up arms.
Gumi also made a controversial comparison between bandits and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a group pushing for the secession of the South-East from Nigeria. IPOB has been declared a terrorist organisation by the Nigerian government, and clashes between its members and security forces have led to deaths and destruction in the region.
According to Gumi, the key difference between bandits and IPOB is their goals and willingness to talk.
“It’s unlike the others like IPOB,” he said. “The government has been trying to dialogue with them; they still refuse. They are still behind creating a separate state. They are secessionists.”
Gumi added that while IPOB members are both terrorists and secessionists, bandits are not trying to break Nigeria apart.
“Well, these people (bandits) are not secessionists,” he said.
This comparison has also sparked criticism, especially from those who believe insecurity should not be ranked or explained away based on motives. Some argue that violence against civilians, regardless of the reason, should be condemned equally.
Sheikh Gumi’s comments come at a time when the Tinubu administration is under pressure to improve security across the country. While the government has pledged to tackle insecurity through a mix of military action and intelligence-led operations, attacks by bandits and other armed groups remain a major concern.
In the past, Gumi has met with some bandit leaders and said he was acting as a mediator to encourage peace. He has defended these meetings as efforts to save lives, but critics have accused him of legitimising criminals.
Government officials have often distanced themselves from his views, stressing that while dialogue can be part of conflict resolution, criminal acts such as kidnapping and murder must be punished under the law.
Public reaction to Gumi’s latest remarks has been divided. Supporters say his approach focuses on understanding the root causes of violence and finding long-term solutions. Opponents say his statements insult victims and weaken the fight against insecurity.