Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, has once again raised alarms over the growing radicalization among bandits in Nigeria. On Saturday, the influential cleric shared a concerning video on his Facebook page, highlighting the increasing dangers he has repeatedly warned about.
The video depicts a group of bandits celebrating and chanting in Arabic, which Sheikh Gumi suggests is a sign of their escalating radicalization. The cleric, known for advocating dialogue and negotiations as a solution to the security crisis in the North, urged the government to take swift action to prevent the situation from worsening.
Sheikh Gumi has been a polarizing figure in discussions about Nigeria’s security issues, particularly regarding his approach to engaging with bandits. He expressed concern that the conflict, which he initially viewed as an ethnic war that could be resolved, has now evolved into something far more complex.
“Initially, bandits were fighting an ethnic war that could be resolved. I warned if the kinetic [approach] is intensified, they will turn into ideologically motivated guerilla warfare. Nobody listened,” Sheikh Gumi wrote.
He emphasized the shift towards ideological warfare, noting its dangerous implications. “The difference between the former and the latter is that ideological war is almost intractable; Boko Haram (BH) is an example. They commit the same crime, but this time, they think they are serving God. The picture is gloomy,” he added.
This latest statement from Sheikh Gumi comes amid rising concerns about the increasing radicalization of bandits across Nigeria.
