Gumi: Bandits Fighting Against Neglect, Not Political Sponsorship

Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a prominent Islamic cleric, has dismissed allegations that politicians are sponsoring banditry in the northern region.

In an interview with Saturday PUNCH, Gumi stated that the unrest is a result of centuries of neglect and a desire for education and a better future.

“This is an unintelligent allegation. No politician is sponsoring these people. We are all victims. The opposition is not even behind this. This is a natural reaction of people neglected for centuries without education,” Gumi said.

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He emphasized that the people are expressing a strong desire for a better future for their offspring. “We went to a village between Abuja and Kaduna and we built schools for herdsmen. To our surprise, over 600 of them with their families have started schooling there. They told us that they do not want their children to be like them.”

Gumi’s statement comes amidst growing insecurity in the northern region, particularly in the North-West. Many have been killed by bandits and other criminals, including the monarch of Gobir in Sokoto State.