Prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has questioned the rush to classify certain armed groups as terrorists, arguing that some of them have demonstrated a willingness to engage in dialogue and negotiations.
Speaking on the issue, Gumi stated: “They have shown us their willingness to negotiate, why are we rushing to declare them as terrorists?”
The cleric’s remarks have sparked renewed debate over Nigeria’s approach to tackling insecurity, particularly the balance between military operations and dialogue-based solutions.
Gumi has previously advocated for negotiations as part of efforts to end banditry and other forms of violent conflict in parts of northern Nigeria. However, his position has often attracted criticism from those who believe that armed groups responsible for killings, kidnappings, and other criminal activities should be dealt with through stronger security measures.
His latest comments come amid ongoing discussions about the government’s strategy for addressing security challenges across the country.
The federal government has yet to officially respond to the statement at the time of filing this report.