At last, Gumi speaks on negotiating with bandits

Controversial Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi has said he will no longer participate in negotiations with the bandits due to their new terrorist label.

Recall that a Federal High Court in Abuja made this declaration last Friday in a case against two violent criminal groups.

The verdict strengthens the call for the federal government to declare terrorists the bandits ravaging the northwest and north-central regions of Nigeria.

Mohammed Abubakar, the director of criminal prosecutions (DPP) of the Federation, had filed an ex parte request to ban the activities of “bandits”.

By moving the request last week, Abubakar informed the court that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved the declaration of the bandits as terrorists.

In his ruling, Judge Taiwo Taiwo held that the activities of the bandit groups “Yan Bindiga” (armed men) and “Yan Ta’adda” (terrorists) constituted acts of terrorism.

Responding once again to the court ruling, Gumi revealed in a video interview released on Monday the reasons for his latest decision to no longer negotiate with the bandits.

“We don’t want to push the bandits beyond what they’re currently doing because it can get worse. Why are you rushing to declare them terrorists when they are ready to negotiate? Gumi said to the News men.

Speaking further, Gumi added, “The remaining door to negotiate with them are the clerics, but the door is now closed. I will not contact them any more because that would mean that we are helping terrorists. ”