Sheikh Gumi Warns Against Airstrikes on Bandits

Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Mahmud Gumi, an Islamic cleric, issued a warning against the use of aerial bombardments in the fight against banditry in Nigeria during a Ramadan tafsir on Tuesday night in Kaduna. He highlighted the dangers of airstrikes, particularly in forested areas where bandits operate, citing a tragic incident in Tudun Biri, Igabi Local Government Area, Kaduna State, where 100 residents were reportedly killed due to a mistaken airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force.

Gumi stressed the importance of protecting civilian lives and proposed the creation of the Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS) to specialize in combating criminal activities in forest hideouts. He expressed concern that bandits have become increasingly violent and warned that external influences could strengthen these groups, potentially transforming them into terrorist organizations.

Gumi urged the government to adopt security strategies that do not expose nearby communities to danger and reiterated the need for dialogue and non-military measures alongside enforcement to achieve lasting peace.