Gumi Offers Support to Armed Groups for Dialogue

Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a controversial Islamic cleric, announced his willingness to support armed groups such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Boko Haram, and bandits in Nigeria, provided they agree to lay down their arms and embrace dialogue. During an interview with DRTV, Gumi stressed the importance of peace negotiations facilitated by the federal government to resolve the persistent insecurity issues plaguing the country.

He highlighted that the support for these groups would depend on their willingness to participate in discussions with Nigerian authorities. Gumi emphasized that negotiation remains an effective strategy for conflict resolution and restoring stability in Nigeria.

He advocated for a balanced approach to tackle insecurity, combining military action with non-kinetic strategies, and called for intellectual engagement with stakeholders to address the root causes of violence. Gumi attributed the worsening insecurity to Nigeria's socio-economic challenges, including poor infrastructure, unreliable electricity supply, inadequate healthcare services, and a weak education system.