Prominent human rights lawyer and public interest advocate, Chief Malcolm Omirhobo, has urged the Nigerian government to investigate and prosecute renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, over what he termed the cleric's "consistent justification and defence of terrorists" operating within the country. The lawyer expressed grave concern about Gumi's public statements, describing them as dangerous and capable of encouraging insurgent groups.Omirhobo stated that it was deeply alarming for a respected religious figure to continuously refer to armed terrorists as "listening and reasonable human beings" deserving of dialogue instead of military confrontation. He maintained that such remarks could weaken national morale and embolden criminal groups threatening the country's internal security.
According to the lawyer, Gumi's regular visits to terrorist camps and his public advocacy for leniency towards them raise pressing questions about national security and possible complicity. He argued that Nigeria's anti-terrorism laws must be applied fairly to prevent anyone—no matter how influential—from making statements that appear to justify violence or rebellion against the state.
Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a former army officer and well-known Islamic preacher, has often stirred debate for his strong stance on reconciliation with armed bandits in northern Nigeria. In numerous interviews, Gumi has described many of the insurgents as victims of neglect and injustice, emphasizing the need for dialogue and rehabilitation rather than outright military action.
In 2021, the cleric visited several bandit camps across Kaduna and Zamfara States, where he urged the federal government to consider granting amnesty—a method similar to that once adopted in the Niger Delta to resolve militancy.
Despite persistent criticism, Sheikh Gumi insists that negotiation remains the only sustainable path to peace. His position continues to divide public opinion, drawing both support and condemnation from different sections of the Nigerian populace.Source: