‘Don’t provoke bandits after peace deals in Katsina’, Sheikh Gumi warns military

Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has warned the Nigerian military and other security agencies not to provoke bandits and terrorists groups following a wave of peace deals brokered between the criminal groups and communities in Katsina State.

The Kaduna-based cleric who made the call in a message he shared on his official Facebook page Monday, called on security operatives to respect the peace deals struck between terrorists and residents of Faskari Local Government Area of the state and cautioned against getting the terrorists angry to the extent of abandoning the process and going back to their reign of terror.

The much talked about peace meetings between the bandits and the people of the Faskari communities took place on Sunday between local traditional leaders, residents, and a wanted bandit kingpin, Ado Alero, alongside hundreds of armed herders.

Also present was a notorious bandit leader, Kwashé Garwa, who was recently declared wanted by the DSS following a wave of kidnapping and killings attributed to him.

A video of the meeting which circulated on social media showed the bandits carrying heavy arms and ammunition and openly engaging in dialogue with the community leaders.

During the meeting, Aleru admitted that past hostilities with security operatives worsened after one of his followers was arrested without explanation despite appeals to local and state authorities.

He explained that they were united by pressing issues, including killings, kidnappings, and property destruction.

Aleru further described the latest peace initiative as unprecedented, saying:

“Since we started having peace meetings, people have never gathered in such large numbers like this. This meeting gives me hope that, Insha Allah, peace will be restored—not only in Faskari and Katsina State but across the entire country.

“What brought about this meeting is that one of my boys was arrested. At that time, we were not on good terms with the security operatives. I asked why they arrested him, but they did not give me any explanation,” he had said

In the Facebook post, Gumi warned that any attempt to attack the armed groups could reignite violence in the state and truncate the fragile peace that the deals have brought about.

“Some people who don’t want peace, will provoke them again by attacking them. It’s very important to educate them that they are used by capitalising on their ignorance and zeal to vengeance,” Gumi wrote.

“In Nigeria, whenever there is a discussion, they call Fulani herders bandits and terrorists. But tell me, which tribe in the world does not have criminals among them? You Hausas, who say we are bandits, don’t you also have bandits among you?

“There are many, in fact dozens upon dozens. Yet, no one stereotypes you with such a name, but they stereotype us as bandits. If this stereotyping does not stop, then the killings and kidnappings will also not stop.

“Until justice is served to everyone, the President should allow justice to take its course, and at the state level, leaders should also do the needful,” he added.

“My second question is: why do they publicize only what we do to the world, but never publicize what is done to us?”

“There will be no peace if security agencies do not also stop killing our people,” he added.