“Nigerian Military Cannot Defeat Bandits”, Sheikh Gumi Makes Shocking Revelation

• Sheikh Ahmad Gumi says Nigeria’s armed forces cannot end banditry through force alone and insists that dialogue must form part of the solution.

Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has reignited debate on Nigeria’s security strategy, arguing that military action alone cannot defeat bandit groups operating across the country.

Speaking in an interview with the BBC, Gumi said the government must combine force with dialogue, claiming that the nature of banditry and guerrilla-style attacks makes it difficult for conventional armies to achieve total victory.

He stated that even the military recognises this limitation.

“Only 25% is kinetic action; the rest depends on the government, politics, and local communities. The military cannot do everything,” he said.

Gumi also argued that irregular fighters often outlast state forces globally:

“Where have you ever seen the military defeat guerrilla fighters? Nowhere.”

His comments come as President Bola Tinubu’s administration rolls out new security reforms, from changes in service leadership to an emergency plan targeting violent groups behind kidnappings and rural attacks.

On Alleged Links With Bandit Leaders

The cleric denied claims that he maintains ties with bandit commanders. He explained that his visits to forest camps in 2021 were efforts to push for peace, and that all contact stopped after the federal government designated the groups as terrorists.

“It was in 2021 when I was trying to see how we could bring them together,” he said.
“They declared them terrorists, and since that time we have completely disengaged.”

Negotiation vs. Force

Gumi defended the idea of negotiating with armed groups, saying countries around the world do so to stop conflict.

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“When they say we don’t negotiate with terrorists, I don’t know where they got that from. America had an office negotiating with the Taliban in Qatar. Everyone negotiates if it will stop bloodshed.”

Root Causes of Violence

According to him, many of the armed groups in the northwest are largely Fulani herders who fell into violence after losing access to grazing routes. What began as farmer-herder clashes, he said, has now become widespread criminality.

Gumi has been a controversial voice in national discussions on insecurity, especially after earlier statements that sparked public criticism. His latest comments come at a time when Nigerians are demanding faster results from ongoing security operations.