Teach Bandits Islamic Rules — Gumi Suggests Religious Approach To North-West Insecurity

Renowned Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has called for greater involvement of Islamic scholars in efforts to address banditry and insecurity across Nigeria’s North-West, advocating sustained religious engagement alongside ongoing security operations.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Gumi made the proposal in a post on his official Facebook page on Wednesday, arguing that the deployment of more credible Muslim scholars to engage bandits through consistent preaching could have produced better results in addressing the crisis.

The cleric suggested that religious and community-based engagement should complement military and other security measures, particularly in situations where some individuals involved in banditry may have been influenced by what he described as ignorance, deprivation and social neglect.

Gumi said the approach should involve teaching bandits Islamic principles concerning the sanctity of human life and the protection of property, as well as the religion’s prohibition of killing and oppression.

“Since 2021 up until now, almost six years since we began preaching to bandits, one cannot help but imagine what could have been achieved if many credible Islamic scholars had been systematically deployed to engage bandits across the North-West,” he said.

According to the cleric, the purpose of such engagement would be to remind those involved in criminal activities of religious teachings that prohibit attacks on innocent people and the unlawful destruction or seizure of property.

“The aim is to teach the bandits the sanctity of human life, the inviolability of people’s property, and the Islamic prohibition of killing and oppression,” Gumi stated.

He further argued that religious outreach could, in certain circumstances, help reduce dependence on military and other kinetic measures, while stressing the potential role of community-based efforts in addressing the insecurity affecting the region.

Gumi also raised concerns about how the banditry crisis is perceived by members of the public, suggesting that prejudice can sometimes influence attitudes toward the complex security situation.

“People are the victims of their own prejudice,” he said.

The cleric’s proposal adds religious engagement to the range of approaches being discussed in response to persistent banditry and insecurity in the North-West