Sheikh Gumi Says He Will Support IPOB, Bandits, Boko Haram If They Surrender and Negotiate

Controversial Islamic cleric and security mediator, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has outlined conditions under which he would support the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), bandits, and Boko Haram operatives in Nigeria.

Gumi stated that his support would be contingent on the groups laying down their arms and engaging in peaceful dialogue with the Nigerian government.

Speaking in an interview with DRTV, the cleric said, “Dialogue can bring peace and we are men of peace. Even IPOB, which was once into secession, may be ready to put down their arms and come to a round table to discuss. I’m ready and would support them. All we don’t want is violence.”

He also highlighted that widespread mistrust between citizens and the government has aggravated the country’s security challenges. “So when government says don’t do something that is different, it may not do it, and when government says it’s not doing something, it may be doing it. People have mistrust not only of the Nigerian government,” Gumi explained.

The cleric stressed the importance of broad-based strategies to tackle insecurity, arguing that solutions should not rely solely on military force. “What we are saying is: what is the way out of insecurity? Let’s bring intellectuals to speak. What are the experts saying now in dealing with the situation in Nigeria? Some 50% of it should be non-kinetic,” he said.

Gumi also pointed to poor infrastructure and governance challenges, including bad road networks, unstable electricity supply, inadequate healthcare services, and declining education standards, as factors contributing to the worsening security situation in the country.