Boko Haram, Bandits: Gumi Questions Who Will End Nigeria’s Security Crisis

Gumi made the statement in a post shared on his Facebook page on Saturday while discussing possible strategies for tackling the country’s ongoing security challenges.

The cleric referenced the efforts of former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who engaged with Niger Delta militants during their time in government as part of initiatives aimed at restoring peace in the oil-producing region.

Gumi explained that Jonathan visited militants in the creeks of the Niger Delta, while Osinbajo also held engagements with stakeholders and communities affected by militancy, which later contributed to programmes designed to reduce unrest in the area.

Drawing parallels with the current security situation in northern Nigeria, the cleric argued that attempts to engage Boko Haram members and bandits through dialogue could face criticism from sections of the public.

He stated that while previous administrations explored negotiations with militants in the Niger Delta, anyone attempting a similar approach with insurgents and criminal groups in the North could face public backlash.

Gumi wrote, “The former President Jonathan visited Delta militants in the creeks, so also the former Vice President Osinbajo. They all came up with a programme to tame the militants. Who is going to visit Boko Haram and bandits to tame them without criticism?”

The cleric has consistently advocated dialogue as one of the possible measures to address Nigeria’s insecurity challenges, maintaining that engagement could play a role alongside other security efforts in finding lasting solutions.