WorldStage– Sheikh Ahmad Mahmud Gumi, a Kaduna based prominent Islamic cleric known for his controversial stances on security issues, has claimed that foreign powers are allegedly supporting bandits and terrorists in Nigeria.
Gumi claimed that the attacks along the Abuja-Kaduna highway and in areas such as Birnin Gwari as evidence of external involvement, suggesting that renewed violence contradicts earlier signs of improving security in the country.
Gumi urged the Nigerian government to investigate these alleged foreign connections through stronger intelligence and diplomatic measures, though he did not specify any countries or entities involved.
The cleric’s remarks have ignited backlash, with critics and human rights groups accusing him of sympathizing with bandits or indirectly supporting terrorism through his advocacy for dialogue and amnesty programs.
Gumi, however, maintains that his efforts are aimed at fostering peace.
He has previously described bandits as acting on “revenge missions” due to grievances such as government neglect, loss of family members, or socioeconomic hardship, distinguishing them from other militant groups like IPOB, whom he claims are less open to negotiation.
Gumi’s views have, in the past, led to government summons and calls for his arrest, reflecting the contentious nature of his public statements on Nigeria’s insecurity challenges.
As the debate continues, security analysts emphasize the need for credible intelligence and measured policy responses to both domestic and potential external factors driving violence in Nigeria.
