GUMI AND AMNESTY FOR BANDITS
Since the time he took a courageous but dangerous path of meeting and preaching to bandits to repent, appealing to government to consider negotiation instead of using brutal force against them, the revered Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, has continued to stir the hornet’s nest. Although his evangelism to the cattle rustlers who transformed to bandits and continue to terrorise many states in northern Nigeria has contributed significantly to temporary peace deal enjoyed in Zamfara, Katsina and Niger states, resulting in the release of some captives, his utterances in recent times have angered many Nigerians and constituted authorities. His recent interview to Arise TV, alleging that some security agencies are colluding with bandits must have forced the Department of State Services (DSS) to invite him to their Kaduna office. Gumi’s accusation was premised on the kind of dangerous weapons he saw in the hands of those notorious bandits. He wondered how these sophisticated weapons found their way into their hands. However, infuriated by his statement, the Nigerian army, accused Gumi of demoralizing their soldiers in the frontlines.
There is no gainsaying the fact that Sheikh Ahmed Gumi has assumed the role of chief mediator between bandits and the government. Evidence abounds on how he toured many troubled northern states bedeviled by the activities of bandits and met with the affected governors. Everywhere he finds himself, Gumi preaches, canvasses or advocates negotiation, dialogue or amnesty program for the bandits. While no price is too high for the maintenance of peace and security in the country, it seems the negotiation Gumi had with bandits have since failed to yield the desired results in states that initiated it. For instance, both Zamfara and Katsina States governors had agreed to grant amnesty to bandits who surrender and embrace a peace accord. Interestingly, when the dialogue or negotiation began, many bandits repented and laid down their arms. Sadly, they later abandoned the agreement and went back to the bush. This development compelled Zamfara and Katsina States governors to go against further dialogue or granting amnesty to bandits.
For Dr Ahmed Gumi to insist that bandits be granted amnesty, he is living in denial of these past experiences. No wonder, Kaduna State Governor El-Rufai has ruled out any dialogue with the bandits. What about the mode of their operation which hinges on abduction for monetary gains? Is Gumi aware that there is quite a difference between banditry and other elements of insecurity in the country? Take for example, the Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND). It is formed to pursue resource control in Niger Delta region. The indoctrinated Boko Haram members are driven by desire to form an Islamic state. The same with IPOB which wants to secede from Nigeria and form republic of Biafra. If I may ask: What are the northern bandits grievances or what do they want to achieve? The answer may be they suffered theft from cattle rustlers. Of course, they might have lost their cattle and other valuables to rustlers, but must that be the reason to sack, kill and abduct helpless poor people?
Dr Gumi can be right in his own ways; however, the continued killing of peasant farmers in Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina and Niger States which threatens food security and the abduction of school children which disrupts education in the north, the bandits should not be recognized let alone granted amnesty. The only language these bandits understand is violence. The government should teach them.
Ibrahim Mustapha, Pambegua, Kaduna State
