Why I Prioritize Bandits Over Victims’ – Sheikh Gumi Speaks On Nigeria’s Insecurity

Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has stated that tackling the perpetrators of violence, rather than immediately focusing on their victims, should be the priority in Nigeria’s escalating security crisis.

During an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Tuesday, Gumi explained that the cycle of killings can only be broken by confronting attackers directly and limiting their ability to cause further harm.

Using a medical analogy, he stressed that in any emergency, the first step is to stop the bleeding rather than begin treating existing injuries.

Responding to critics who argue his approach favors armed groups over victims, Gumi insisted that the state already has structures in place to care for those affected.

He said, “In an emergency, the priority is to stop the bleeding, not treat the fracture. My concern is with those causing harm. Imagine a madman in a market stabbing people at night; my focus is to take the knife from him, not to tend immediately to the wounded.

“Some say we are neglecting victims, but that is not the case. Victims have emergency agencies, state governments, and other structures to care for them.”

Gumi emphasized that prioritizing perpetrators does not mean ignoring victims, but is a strategic approach aimed at ending the violence more effectively. He added, “I am not an authority and cannot care for everyone. My responsibility is to ensure the bleeding stops.”

Drawing on years of firsthand experience with banditry, Gumi said the government recognizes the potential of his method but is hindered by political disagreements.

He compared the crisis to an untreated illness, arguing that addressing root causes is essential for lasting solutions. “If you want to cure a disease, you have to investigate what caused it,” he explained.