Sheikh Gumi Explains Why Herdsmen Can’t Quit Banditry, Sparks Fresh Debate

Gumi made the statement during an interview on AIT, where he discussed the topic, “Ending Insecurity: Amnesty and Negotiation with Bandits.”

He argued that herdsmen have long faced neglect and hardship, adding that successive governments have failed to address their challenges or modernise their way of life.

According to him, no meaningful government budget has been directed toward herdsmen, stating, “Not one kobo of our Nigerian budget goes to them.”

The cleric further claimed that bandits do not live luxurious lifestyles, noting that many survive in harsh conditions, including drinking from streams.

He said, “If they leave banditry, they won’t have a source of financing for their war machine.

“We are under pressure to fight the government. The government that has helicopters is bombarding us. So remove the pressure, the need for the money is there.”

Meanwhile, Gumi has also cautioned against possible United States involvement in Nigeria’s fight against terrorism, warning that such intervention could worsen the security situation.

In a Facebook post on Monday, he stressed that Nigeria must safeguard its sovereignty while addressing insecurity challenges such as banditry and Boko Haram insurgency.

He described sovereignty as “a red line,” insisting that the Nigerian military is capable of handling the crisis if properly guided by fairness, transparency, and strict rules of engagement.

Gumi further argued that foreign military intervention could escalate tensions and potentially attract international extremist groups into the country, worsening the conflict and endangering civilians.