Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has again defended his controversial outreach to armed groups, insisting that every visit he makes to bandit enclaves is carried out with full knowledge of security agencies and government officials. He spoke at the 2025 Southwest Muslims Ulama Summit at the University of Ibadan, where he challenged what he called years of public misunderstanding about his mission in the forests.
He said he travels with police escorts and government representatives, noting that his goal is to understand the roots of Nigeria’s insecurity and create channels for education and rehabilitation. According to him, the crisis stems from a collapse of learning and rising joblessness among young herders who have been cut off from the larger society.
He argued that prolonged neglect has produced a generation struggling with isolation and frustration. He illustrated this by explaining that anyone kept in the bush without communication or learning would return detached from normal human development. He maintained that his work is focused on reaching the source of the problem rather than passing judgment from a distance.
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Gumi said he has long faced harsh criticism because his interventions are regularly misrepresented, especially on social media. He noted that the suspicion around his engagement with bandits has overshadowed the intention behind his efforts. He added that the grievances raised at the summit echoed the concerns he has witnessed across the country.
He urged Nigerians to understand that opening lines of education and communication with armed groups is, in his view, a necessary step toward reducing violence and restoring security.
