Renowned Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has criticised those demanding his arrest over his continued comments on banditry and national security.
In a statement released on Facebook on Sunday, Gumi defended his engagement with bandits, branding his critics as “spineless, irresponsible and unpatriotic imbecilic people” who prefer public outrage to genuine solutions.
He maintained that he had committed no offence by interacting with bandits in an effort to promote peace.
According to him, the strongest calls for his arrest are driven by bigotry, ignorance and intolerance for opposing views. He argued that his critics have chosen to politicise his peace efforts rather than pay attention to the worsening insecurity across the country.
“ARREST HIM!!! These are the only words some spineless, irresponsible and unpatriotic imbecilic people can utter,” he wrote.
Gumi also referenced a major peace mission he led in January 2021 at Sabon Garin Yadi forest in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State. He said he was accompanied by the then Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, who represented the Inspector-General of Police during the visit.
He explained that over 600 armed bandits and their commanders attended the meeting, which formed part of a broader peace initiative aimed at persuading criminal groups to drop their weapons, embrace dialogue and end attacks on communities.
“I was at Sabon Garin Yadi forest, accompanied by the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police. This meeting was part of a peace initiative where we preached to over 600 bandits and their commanders, who agreed to lay down their arms in exchange for security and basic amenities,” he stated.
The cleric insisted that the negotiations were legitimate, transparent and conducted with the full knowledge and approval of the authorities.
