Ahmad Gumi, the Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, has advised the federal government to consider granting amnesty to armed bandits.
Speaking during a press conference at his residence in
Kaduna on Monday, Gumi said the country should adopt the same rehabilitation
approach used for repentant Boko Haram members who surrendered to the military.
He noted that Nigeria’s prolonged reliance on military force
has failed to end banditry and insurgency.
“If the kinetic approach is not working for 17 years, why
don’t you change the approach? Let’s change the method,” Gumi said.
”Because what Katsina did is to bring the bandits, give them
money, and let them go with the rebels. Why don’t we change the method? Let’s
engage them.
“Let’s dislodge them from the forest. Let’s take their
children and put them in school. Let’s do something different. But you see,
when you want money to be spent, when you want a budget to be spent, that is
when it will come.”
Gumi said authorities have not paid enough attention to
reintegration and rehabilitation strategies despite the number of insurgents
who have surrendered over the years.
According to him, some bandits have expressed willingness to
lay down their arms if they are guaranteed protection from arrest or
retaliation.
“These people (bandits) told us they are ready to lay down
their arms, but what are their conditions? Has anybody listened to them?” Gumi
asked.
“They said they fear when they lay down arms, they will then
be pursued and arrested.
“So give them the amnesty so that they don’t need to fear
putting down their arms and see. Let’s change the approach. Let’s change the
methodology.”
The cleric also used the briefing to deny allegations that
he supports terrorism or violent groups.
“I hereby state unequivocally that any video clip, written
statement, or message attributed to me, whether directly or by innuendo,
suggesting support for, justification of, protection of, or advocacy for
banditry or terrorism in Nigeria or anywhere else does not emanate from me,” he
said.
Gumi said he remains committed to peace and hopeful that
Nigeria would overcome its security crisis.
“I sincerely hope that our great nation will heal, and that
all victims affected by this violence will find comfort in the collective
determination of the nation and the international community to achieve a
lasting solution to the insecurity fueled over time by ignorance, poverty, and
widespread social injustice,”H he added.
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