Bandits Are On Revenge Mission, Not Like IPOB That Wants To Leave Nigeria – Gumi

Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has again defended bandits terrorising northern Nigeria, claiming they are on “revenge missions” rather than waging unprovoked violence.

The Sheikh argued that the Fulani herdsmen and bandit groups “do not attack people without any cause.”
” the cleric maintained that the attackers were motivated by grievances and vengeance, not sheer brutality.

“you see, if you know their psychology, they are on a revenge mission,” he said.

Gumi, who has long advocated amnesty and negotiation for bandits, further claimed that Fulani herdsmen had lived peacefully with other ethnic groups for centuries and are only reacting to injustices they suffered.

He urged the Tinubu administration to unify and rehabilitate the armed groups into the army instead of launching military offensives against them.

The cleric also drew a controversial comparison between bandits and members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), accusing the latter of rejecting dialogue and pursuing secession.

“It’s unlike the others like IPOB. The government has been trying to dialogue with them; they still refuse. They are still behind creating a separate state. They are secessionists. Besides being terrorists, they are secessionists. Well, these people (bandits) are not secessionists.,” Gumi said.