Kaduna-based Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has proposed a six-month amnesty window for terrorists and bandits to surrender their weapons.
Gumi made the proposal in a video circulating online. He was discussing Nigeria’s worsening security crisis and the government’s response to armed groups.
The cleric questioned the government’s heavy reliance on military operations. He argued that negotiation should also form part of efforts to end insecurity.
“Why can’t we negotiate with them? If I’m the president, I will announce that I’m giving a six-month amnesty window for all the terrorists and bandits to put down their weapons,” Gumi said.
Gumi Advocates Negotiation
Gumi argued that Nigeria should develop its own approach to the security crisis. He said the country should not depend entirely on international standards for dealing with armed groups.
The cleric also cited negotiations involving the Taliban and Hamas. He argued that governments can negotiate with groups they consider terrorists.
“You negotiate. You negotiate with Taliban, you negotiate with Hamas, you negotiate with everybody where you have problems. Why can’t we negotiate with them?” he asked.
Gumi said any amnesty programme should go beyond collecting weapons. He proposed rehabilitation, education and economic opportunities for former fighters.
He also called for education programmes for the children of terrorists and bandits. According to him, schools could help prevent young people from joining armed groups.
“Most important, when you do that, entice their children to education. Build schools for them,” he said.
The cleric also questioned the money spent on military hardware. He suggested that the government could redirect some of those funds towards rehabilitation and economic opportunities.
Gumi referred to the reported $5 million cost of an aircraft. He argued that similar funds could support former fighters after rehabilitation.
“Let me tell you, $5 million, keeping a lot of them busy after the rehabilitation with cows would have gone a long way to end insecurity in Nigeria,” he said.
Gumi Recalls Obasanjo’s Boko Haram Contact
Gumi also recalled former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s efforts to establish contact with Boko Haram.
According to Gumi, Obasanjo travelled to Maiduguri during the early years of the insurgency. He said the former president met with people linked to Boko Haram.
“General President Obasanjo told me himself, at the early stage of Boko Haram, he went to Maiduguri himself, met with leaders of Boko Haram. They agreed to lay down their arms,” Gumi said.
Gumi claimed that Obasanjo returned from the meeting but received little government support. He said the former president was unhappy about the government’s response.
“He came back, the government was reluctant to take action, and he was bitter about that,” Gumi added.
Gumi has advocated dialogue with armed groups for several years. In February 2021, he called for blanket amnesty for bandits willing to make peace with the government.
His latest proposal has again revived the debate over amnesty and negotiations. Supporters may see dialogue as another route to reduce violence, while critics may argue that amnesty could weaken accountability for serious crimes.
The Federal Government had not publicly responded to Gumi’s latest proposal as of the time of reporting.
