Controversial Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has insisted that negotiating with bandits and terrorists remains the only viable solution to Nigeria’s insecurity challenge.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that Gumi, in a Facebook post on Thursday, lamented that the country had, for decades, neglected disadvantaged populations, creating deep socio-economic inequalities and leaving many youths vulnerable to manipulation by external forces seeking to destabilise the country.
According to him, the widening gap between the rich and the poor has turned many young people into ready-made foot soldiers in cycles of violence that enable the exploitation of Nigeria’s resources.
Gumi expressed displeasure that the political class is largely unresponsive to the situation, while the intellectual class is held hostage in the struggle for existence.
The Islamic scholar maintained that his 2021 approach of taking the bull by the horns, by attempting to reintegrate violent elements into society, is the only way out of the insecurity predicament.
He wrote, “Nigeria for decades has ignored the underprivileged section of its society. There is a significant socio-economic discrepancy, and the society is stratified. This makes our teaming youth ready-made foot soldiers for any foreign interest trying to divide us and rule. To plunder our resources while we are involved in a vicious circle of violence.
”Unfortunately, the political class is unattentive while the intelligentsia is held hostage in the struggle for existence.
“In 2021, I took the bull by the horns in an attempt to bring some of these uncouth elements back to our fold rather than letting them be exploited by the devil.
“I still believe this is the only way out of our predicament. However, it needs the political will and determination to achieve.
“May Allah bring peace back to our nation.”