Sheikh Gumi: Bandits’ Actions Stem from Feeling of Neglect

Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has refuted claims that politicians are funding the ongoing unrest and banditry in northern Nigeria. Gumi, known for his outspoken stance on the region’s insecurity, argued that the violence stems from long-standing neglect rather than political manipulation.

In recent years, the North-West region has been plagued by escalating violence, with banditry and other criminal activities leading to numerous deaths, including the murder of the monarch of Gobir in Sokoto State. While some, such as Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, have accused politicians of sponsoring the unrest, Gumi dismissed these allegations in a recent interview with Saturday PUNCH.

“This is an unintelligent allegation. No politician is sponsoring these people. We are all victims. The opposition is not even behind this. This is a natural reaction of people neglected for centuries without education,” Gumi stated.

He explained that the rise in violence is fueled by the growing awareness among marginalized groups, particularly herdsmen, of their deprivation. “Now they are exposed to the world and they want education. These people are exposed to the Internet and they see how much they are deprived. They want to fight back. This act is not by anybody.”

The cleric emphasized that the unrest is rooted in a desire for a better future. He recounted efforts to address the educational gap by building schools for herdsmen in a village between Abuja and Kaduna, where over 600 families have since enrolled. “They told us that they do not want their children to be like them. Imagine if we did that all around the country,” Gumi added, underscoring the importance of education in tackling the region’s insecurity.

Sheikh Gumi’s remarks highlight the complex socio-economic factors behind the rising banditry, suggesting that addressing the root causes of neglect and deprivation could provide a long-term solution to the violence.

This article is sourced from The Punch newspaper, with minor edits and adaptations by The Spectacles for clarity and readability.