Banditry A Consequence Of Long-Standing Societal Neglect, According To Scholar

Banditry A Consequence Of Long-Standing Societal Neglect, According To Scholar

Kaduna-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has refuted accusations that politicians are responsible for the growing insecurity in northern Nigeria.

The North-West region has been plagued by increasing incidents of banditry and violence in recent months, resulting in numerous deaths, including that of the monarch of Gobir in Sokoto State. The escalating violence has led to widespread speculation that political figures might be backing the unrest for personal gains.

In 2021, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State accused certain politicians of funding the banditry that has spread across the country. However, in a recent interview with Punch, Sheikh Gumi rejected these claims, emphasizing that there is no evidence to support the idea that politicians are involved in the violence in the North.

He remarked:

“This is an unfounded and unintelligent accusation. No politician is sponsoring these individuals. We are all victims of this crisis. Even the opposition is not responsible. This is a natural response from people who have been neglected for generations, left without education.

Now, they have been exposed to the world and are demanding education. They have access to the internet and can see how much they’ve been deprived. Their actions are a form of retaliation. This is not the doing of any politician.”