Prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has raised concerns that bandits are now abducting and killing Nigerians, believing they are serving a higher purpose. In a recent Facebook post, Gumi reacted to a video showing bandits seizing and burning military vehicles, led by notorious kingpin Bello Turji.
Gumi stated that the bandits’ initial ethnic-based conflict could have been easily resolved, but authorities ignored his warnings against intensifying military action. He fears that the situation has escalated into ideologically motivated guerrilla warfare, making it more challenging to address.
The cleric noted that the bandits’ perception of serving a higher power makes the situation more complex, drawing parallels with Boko Haram’s ideology. Gumi’s post highlights the need for a more nuanced approach to addressing the banditry issue in Nigeria.”