Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has rebuffed critics calling for his arrest, stating that those who advocate for his arrest do not know his role in efforts to address banditry.
Gumi maintained that his involvement with armed groups was part of a wider search for peace and was undertaken with the knowledge of authorities.
To recall, his recent comment on his staunch support for dialogue as a viable approach to ending rural violence ignited public debate across some parts of the country, where other citizens are calling for his arrest.
Gumi stated: ‘I Acted With Approval’ in his negotiations with bandits.”
He further rebuffed those advocating for his arrest, contending they misrepresent his role in efforts to address banditry.
He also maintained that his involvement with armed groups was part of a wider search for peace and was undertaken with the knowledge of security authorities.
Sooth News reports that the scholar’s remarks were published on his Facebook page on Sunday, November 16, in which he rebuffed those calling for his arrest.
The calls, Gumi argues, are emotional outbursts that ignore the facts surrounding previous attempts to de-escalate violence in the North.
He said it is not fair to describe his engagements as sympathy for criminals, maintaining that he acted only to douse tensions and encourage offenders to surrender and obey the law.
Gumi gave an example of an engagement in January 2021 in Sabon Garin Yadi forest in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State as an example of earlier attempts at reconciliation.
He said he was in the forest with the then Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, who represented the Inspector General of Police during the visit.
The scholar also noted that the meeting drew more than six hundred armed men who agreed to end attacks if certain conditions were fulfilled by the government.
“I was at Sabon Garin Yadi forest, accompanied by the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police.”
“This meeting was part of a peace initiative where we preached to over 600 bandits and their commanders, who agreed to lay down their arms in exchange for security and basic amenities,” he said.
Sheikh Gumi said that the dialogue was legitimate, transparent, and conducted with the full knowledge and approval of relevant authorities.
He however criticised those condemning him rather than interrogating the government’s alleged failure to fulfil its commitments.
He questioned the rationale behind calling for his detention, arguing that his mediation efforts were aimed at reducing violence and driven by national interest.
“So, what is there to arrest for? For calling them to lay arms or amenities for them, or to educate the nation on their side of the story?”
He accused his critics of hypocrisy, insisting that the constitution guarantees free speech and that divergent opinions must not be treated as crimes.
“Is free speech no longer part of our constitutional right? Is their call for arrest not also prejudiced and an incitement to more violence?” he queried.
Sheikh Gumi also explained that the armed groups asked for basic community facilities, freedom from arbitrary arrest and assurances that they would not be targeted after surrendering.
Gumi maintained that none of the requests were implemented, which eventually weakened the peace process.
He said the collapse of that window should prompt questions about government commitment, not attacks on those who facilitated talks.
The Sheikh also questioned whether persuading armed groups to drop their weapons or explaining their grievances to the public could be treated as wrongdoing.
He said anger driven narratives do not solve the crisis and urged citizens to embrace practical solutions instead of personal attacks.
However, Gumi concluded with prayers for national unity and for a society free from bigotry and hostility toward differing views.
