Prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has stirred fresh national debate following his strong reaction to claims linking him to terrorism over his engagement with bandits.
Sheikh Gumi, who has been widely criticized for his past interactions and dialogue with armed bandit groups in Northern Nigeria, has dismissed allegations that such engagements amount to terrorism. According to him, labeling him a terrorist simply because he speaks with bandits is not only unfair but also dangerous to national unity.
In a bold statement, Gumi argued that if speaking to bandits is classified as terrorism, then by extension, millions of Northern Muslims should also be tagged terrorists, stressing that such logic promotes religious profiling and collective blame.
“If you say I am a terrorist because I talk to bandits, then you are indirectly saying all Northern Muslims are terrorists too,” Gumi stated.
He further explained that his engagement with armed groups was aimed at peacebuilding, intelligence gathering, and conflict resolution, not support or sympathy for criminal activities. According to him, dialogue has historically been used globally as a tool to end violent conflicts, and Nigeria should not be an exception.
The cleric warned that careless use of labels such as “terrorist” could fuel religious tension, deepen mistrust, and further polarize the country, especially at a time when unity and strategic cooperation are needed to combat insecurity.
However, critics argue that engaging criminals without state authorization legitimizes their actions and undermines security agencies who risk their lives daily to protect citizens. They insist that any form of communication with terrorists should be transparent and coordinated through government channels.
Sheikh Gumi’s comments have since sparked intense reactions across social media, with Nigerians divided over whether his position promotes peace or indirectly excuses criminality.
As insecurity continues to plague many parts of the country, the debate raises broader questions about dialogue versus force, religious sensitivity, and the limits of private mediation in national security matters.
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