Islamic Cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has stated that most of the bandits he had dialogues with in the past, have repented and stopped kidnapping.
This is even as Gunmi insisted that those committing atrocities are rogues who he had no dialogues with.
It would be recalled that Gumi had visited bandits in the forests across some states in the north in an attempt to negotiate a peace deal with them.
The cleric has also been an advocate of dialogue and amnesty for the criminals, stating the reason bandits took to arms was because there was no one to listen to and entertain their grievances.
In recent interview with Roots TV, Gumi stated that: “All those we met, all of them have stopped being involved in this kidnapping. The ones doing it now are rogue ones who we did not sit down with”.
He further decried the refusal of the “authorities” to support his mission, lamenting that the process of “sitting down with” other bandits was stalled by “authorities” who do not want it.
Stating he is also a victim of banditry, he said: “Our processes were arrested and stopped by the authorities, which is not interested in it.
“My very close relative…One of the life time driver of my father. His son — a soldier – eleven of them were ambushed and killed. So, I am a victim of banditry. Then, should I seek revenge and more and more soldiers will die or do I forgive so that most souls will be saved?
“So, I think it is logical… It is better to stop the more killings and have peace”.
