Sheikh Gumi held a press conference in Kaduna where he explicitly denied any affiliation with bandits or terrorist groups.
He described allegations linking him to banditry as “fake” and “manipulated,” accusing certain ethnic-interest groups and online content creators of distorting his words for sensationalism.
Gumi declared, “I have no other country but Nigeria, so I will not support anything that will lead to its destruction.” He emphasized that he would never support terrorists to destroy the nation.
He clarified that his previous outreach to bandits was an attempt at a “non-kinetic” (non-military) approach to peace. He argued that military force alone hasn’t worked for nearly two decades and suggested that addressing root causes; like poverty and lack of education is the only path to a lasting solution.
​Gumi’s role has been a point of massive debate in Nigeria for years. While he sees himself as a mediator trying to facilitate surrenders, many critics, and at times the government, have viewed his proximity to these groups with suspicion.
He continues to push for a structured amnesty program, similar to what was done for Boko Haram defectors, arguing that many bandits are ready to lay down arms but fear they will be killed or arrested immediately upon surrender.
In his recent statements, he warned that he would take legal action against individuals or media outlets that continue to spread what he calls “falsehoods” regarding his involvement with armed groups.
​It’s a complex situation he’s essentially trying to pivot from being seen as a “bandit sympathizer” to being seen as a “peace advocate,” though his methods remain highly controversial among both the public and security experts.
