Sheikh Gumi Defends Northern Bandits, Says Their Attacks Are Revenge, Not Random Violence

Kaduna-based Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has sparked fresh controversy by defending armed groups terrorizing northern Nigeria, claiming their attacks are motivated by revenge rather than senseless brutality.

During an interview on Trust TV on Friday, Gumi said that Fulani herders and armed bandits act in response to perceived injustices and accumulated grievances, rather than attacking without provocation.

“You need to understand their mindset—they are on a revenge mission,” the cleric said, stressing that understanding these motivations is essential to resolving the region’s security challenges.

Gumi, who has long supported dialogue, amnesty, and negotiation with armed groups, noted that Fulani herders historically coexisted peacefully with neighboring communities. He argued that the recent violence reflects grievances and injustices they have suffered over time.

In a controversial recommendation, the cleric urged the federal government to shift away from military action against bandits, instead focusing on unification, rehabilitation, and integrating them into the Nigerian Army.

The interview became even more contentious when Gumi compared bandits to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), accusing IPOB of refusing dialogue and pursuing secession. “IPOB continues to push for a separate state and rejects dialogue. These bandits are not secessionists,” he said.

Gumi’s remarks have drawn widespread criticism, with many Nigerians condemning them as insensitive given the deadly impact of banditry, which has caused mass killings, kidnappings, and forced displacement of communities across northern Nigeria.