Treat bandits like Niger Delta militants – Gumi backs dialogue option

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Renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has cautioned against actions that could undermine current peace efforts between local communities in Katsina State and leaders of armed bandit groups.

Gumi, who has consistently championed dialogue as a solution to banditry, reiterated his stance in light of recent peace discussions held in Matazu, Faskari, and Sabuwa local government areas, where several high-profile bandit leaders were said to be in attendance.

In a message posted to his Facebook page on Saturday, he called on both the government and security forces to safeguard the delicate agreements, urging them to apply a reintegration strategy similar to what was previously used for militants in the Niger Delta.

“Alhamdulillah. News has come that today, Sabuwa Local Government has also held a peace settlement with the bandits in the forests to establish peace throughout the entire local government area… May the security agencies avoid destroying this peace agreement but instead teach them how to live in peace, just as was done with the Niger Delta militants,” he wrote.

However, the initiative has drawn sharp criticism from former senator and human rights advocate, Shehu Sani, who argued that negotiating with violent bandit leaders only strengthens their position.

Sani noted that previous peace initiatives in Katsina and Zamfara eventually failed, despite mediation efforts including those by Sheikh Gumi leaving the affected communities even more exposed to danger.

“Bandits who have killed thousands, kidnapped innocent people, and raped women should not be rewarded with dialogue. They should be prosecuted or outrightly eliminated,” he said, stressing that justice, non-negotiations, is the only sustainable solution.

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