Popular controversial Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, says the Nigerian military has been too hard on bandits with the approach it uses to win the war against banditry in the northern part of the country.
He said both the Army and Air Force troops have launched ground and air strikes that have killed the bandits’ families – wives and children – which have angered them, as they see it as a war.
Speaking on ‘When will there be an end to Nigeria’s recurring abductions?” organised by Daily Trust via X space on Wednesday, Gumi insisted that it is only a non-kinetic approach that can halt the activities of bandits in the North.
“To them (military) they are fighting a war. Honestly, the military has been very hard on them, the Air Force is killing their families,” Gumi said.
Insisting on socio-economic methods, the scholar said, “When you think of synergy, you can’t rule out the military, but there has to be synergy. Let the non-kinetic approach be in the front. When it fails, then the kinetic can come in.
“And in fact, it will come in a better position because the non-kinetic approach will give access to have a better intelligence, better knowledge and with that kind of intensive engagement in negotiation.” (Daily Trust)
