Negotiate with these bandits, build for them schools and hospitals; Let them have future

In a recent interview with Trust TV, renowned Islamic cleric Sheikh Gumi addressed the issue of insecurity in Nigeria and called for a shift in the approach taken towards combating the crisis. Sheikh Gumi suggested that negotiations should be pursued with the various armed groups, advocating for the construction of schools, hospitals, and markets to provide these individuals with a viable future.

During the interview, Sheikh Gumi highlighted the concerns of the so-called bandits, a term often used to describe armed groups operating in Nigeria. He pointed out that one of their grievances revolved around the lack of cattle markets, which were often destroyed, hampering their ability to trade and sustain their livelihoods. To address their grievances, Sheikh Gumi proposed the construction of stable markets to support their economic activities and reduce their inclination towards violence according to Daily Trust.

In his words, he said; “Negotiate with these people. Build for them schools and hospitals. Let them have future. Build for them markets. Even the people we call bandits, what they sometimes complain is that they no longer have cattle markets because whenever they establish market, it gets destroyed.

“So the military should be out of this picture completely. We are not fighting a foreign country. We should develop our internal security.”

Furthermore, Sheikh Gumi stressed the need to remove the military from the situation entirely, emphasizing that Nigeria was not engaged in a conflict with a foreign country. Instead, he called for a focus on developing internal security measures that would effectively tackle the underlying causes driving insecurity in the country.

The statements made by Sheikh Gumi have sparked conversations among Nigerians regarding the most effective ways to address the ongoing security challenges the nation is facing. Supporters of his viewpoint argue that alternative approaches, such as negotiations and development initiatives, should be explored to find a long-term resolution to the conflict. However, critics express concerns about the potential dangers of negotiating with armed groups and question whether development initiatives alone can handle the complexities of the security situation.

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