VIDEO: Why bandits can’t stop killing Nigerians – Sheikh Gumi

Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi says bandits he spoke with described the bloodshed as excessive but feel forced to continue because of revenge killings and fear of being killed, and he renewed his call for dialogue.

Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has said some bandits he interacted with are unhappy with the continued bloodshed but feel compelled to carry on, in an interview on PAPShow published on October 29, as reported by The Punch, clips of which went viral on Tuesday.

“One of the bandits was telling us the bloodshed is too much,” Gumi said. “They, too, are not happy. And they say they are forced to do it.”

He said the armed men complained that military operations presented as efforts to tackle cattle rustling had killed women and children in their communities. “So, they feel it’s a field of blood, revenge, attack and counterattack,” he said.

Gumi said they feared being killed if they gave up. “Because they thought they were killed. So, we need to reaffirm to them, to put confidence in them that they will not be killed,” he said, adding: “Let’s stop the bloodshed. Let’s come to the table.”

On weapons, he said groups buy arms on a black market because of “an arms race between them.” Asked about sponsors, he said, “It’s possible now.” He also claimed “Foreign intelligence definitely have a hand in it,” but offered no evidence.