•Says hope returning to Nigeria’s farmlands

From Sola Ojo, Abuja

Kaduna-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has said that Nigeria’s banditry crisis is gradually losing its grip, as communities once paralysed by fear begin to return to normal life. In parts of the North-West previously regarded as no-go areas, farmers are going back to their fields and daily economic activities are resuming. Though the improvement may not yet be dramatic, it is real, he said.

He asserted that attacks have reduced and abandoned farmlands are being cultivated again; saying even those involved in the violence appear to be diminishing in number.

“Insecurity is like a burning candle. It cannot continue forever,” he declared,  just as he also has a word for those calling for his arrest.

Excerpts:

I saw some farm machinery outside, how long have you been farming?

Our farming experience is just about two years now. The idea behind it was not for personal gain. What we observed was the high rate of youth unemployment and the fact that people with small capital could not meaningfully invest in anything productive. So, we devised a public cooperative farming model where people contribute small amounts starting from as low as N50,000 to as much as they can afford—and farm together.

It is cooperative farming, not personal farming. As of now, we have about 432 members, so it is like a farming family. This is our second year.

So, how far so far?

Farming is very technical. It requires knowledge, dedication and close supervision. The environment is also very challenging. Honestly, you cannot simply trust local labourers. Because of the harsh economic situation, some people attempt to swindle farmers whether during land preparation, fertilizer and herbicide application, planting, or even at harvest. Seeds can be diverted, inputs can be stolen and produce can disappear.

It was a painful realisation for us that some members of the local population are involved in siphoning people’s investments. Farming is very lucrative, you plant one seed and harvest over a hundred but along the way you face theft, fake herbicides, fake fertilizers, and cheating at every level. So, supervision is critical, but even supervisors can sometimes cut corners. So, it is very challenging. However, this second year has been better than the first. We have identified many loopholes, and we believe next year will be much better.

Do you have an idea of the land size involved?

In the first year, we cultivated about 80 hectares, spread across six different locations, and an additional five hectares of swampy land for rice cultivation. Farming works best when it is centralised; scattered farms drain resources through logistics.

What crops did you cultivate?

Last year, we cultivated maize and rice, among others. The production was good, but before we could sell, market prices crashed. So this year, we decided to focus mainly on soyabeans, which have more stable pricing because they are not a staple food in Nigeria. We still planted a small quantity of rice in swampy areas where soyabeans cannot grow. But we are now primarily soyabean farmers.

Do you have an estimate of your output?

For soyabeans, we produced about 500 to almost 600 bags, and for rice, we harvested around 200 bags. This year has been a learning process. We now understand the system better, and we expect next year’s yield and efficiency to improve significantly.

Given the insecurity in many parts of the state, is it affecting access to farms and farming activities?

Things are gradually getting better. Many local governments in Kaduna State that were previously considered no-go areas are now accessible again. People have returned to farming. Even incidents of farm destruction and attacks are not as rampant as before. Overall, the situation is improving. Farmlands that were once abandoned are now coming back to life, and communities that were afraid to go out are beginning to regain confidence. With time, we expect full security to be restored. Every passing day, things are improving. Insecurity is like a burning candle, it keeps melting. It cannot continue indefinitely; it is impossible. Even those involved are reducing in number. People are beginning to understand the dynamics of the crisis.

In simple terms, what we are dealing with is largely an ethnic conflict, not a religious one. Once this reality is understood, it becomes easier to address. You can bring the warring factions together, sometimes five or more groups, and broker peace. Where the government is slow, local communities are now stepping in to mediate and resolve conflicts.

You earlier mentioned your engagement with government officials, including the Minister of Defence. Can you share more on that?

Yes. The Minister of State for Defence is one of the government officials who invited us to assist while he was the governor of Zamfara State. We were asked to help facilitate dialogue, especially because there had been a breakdown of trust between the government and the bandit groups.

Often, after peace agreements are reached, someone violates the agreement, and the situation returns to square one. So we went in to listen to all sides and engage them sincerely. So, as a governor, he understood that this was a situation that required patience, dialogue and listening. After all, he was the chief security officer of the state and had the responsibility for peace then.

The approach where the government simply excites one side in an ethnic conflict and tries to fight the other has proven to be a long and painful road, bringing hardship to innocent people. When we went into the forests and communities, we made it clear to all sides that peace was possible.

One important thing to note is that the bandits are not claiming political leadership, nor are they fighting to overthrow the government. What they say, in simple terms, is that they want to survive and not be killed unjustly. Their position is: if you kill us, we will retaliate; if you don’t kill us, we won’t kill you. Understanding this mindset is key to resolving the conflict through dialogue rather than endless violence.

You just shared your experience when Matawalle was Governor of Zamfara State. He is now the Minister of State for Defence. Recently, President Bola Tinubu deployed him to Kebbi State following the abduction of schoolgirls. From what you have observed, is he extending the same approach he used as governor in his current role as minister?

Yes, very much so. What we are seeing is a continuation of a positive approach, rather than the old mindset of ‘let us go in with force.’ You must understand this clearly: when bandits are holding children hostage, and if those children were yours, would you want the military to storm the place? They would likely kill the children in the process. But through negotiation, all the abducted children were released without a single shot fired.

This is what many people underestimate: the power of negotiation. There is nothing beyond negotiation. That is why we prefer leaders who understand dialogue, not hawks who are quick to send other people’s children to die while they hide theirs.

We want leaders who appreciate the importance of dialogue. The same approach can work in Zamfara, Katsina, Southern Kaduna, Plateau, and other flashpoints. Dialogue remains the key. As I have said before, many people misunderstand my position. Dialogue is central to my approach. Some people say, ‘arrest him, he is too free, he is their king,’ and so on. But these people do not understand the realities on the ground.

Do you feel the need to set the record straight or reorient public perception, especially given the criticism you face online?

The internet is full of noise, rodents and flies, if you like. If you respond to every comment on the internet, you will go mad. Many of those making noise online do not understand the issues. Reality on the ground is very different. Faceless media is extremely dangerous. Let me give an example: a young woman may meet a man online, fall in love, and not know he is mentally unstable. She marries him, and he kills her. That is the danger of faceless interactions. Reality is different. The people you see in your town, your community, your university, those are the people that matter. Not anonymous voices on the internet making careless comments without thinking.

Many of them do not know what they are talking about. Some are driven by ignorance; others by prejudice. I do not build my decisions or actions based on what people say online. I understand their level of intellectual engagement, and I know when hatred is simply misplaced. Sometimes, you just have to be patient and allow people to hate you. I do not consider it a serious issue.

Very quickly, today we are seeing initiatives such as JNI leaders, including Dr. Akeem Baba, leading dialogue efforts with CAN in 19 northern states. How would you describe such engagements to the wider public?

Any time two people sit down to talk, even a husband and wife who have misunderstandings, something positive can come out of it. Dialogue always produces results. So, anything that brings people together, we support it, no matter who is involved.

What is your message at this time to Mr. President, especially amid calls for the removal of Matawalle?

Mr. President understands the value of Bello Matawalle. People are calling for his removal, but he knows what Matawalle brings to the table. Politically speaking, Matawalle played a significant role in delivering support from some northern states. Removing him would amount to political suicide. That said, I am not a politician. I do not care who wins or loses politically. What matters to me is the national interest. In that context, Matawalle is a dove, not a hawk. And at this critical point in our national security challenge, what Nigeria needs are calm, thoughtful minds, not hot-headed approaches.

If you were asked what President Tinubu can do better, particularly on security, what will be your response?

I believe President Tinubu is doing the right thing in terms of security. Having a strong and robust military presence is necessary, you cannot do without the military. However, that is only about 25 percent of the solution. The remaining 75 percent must be non-kinetic: engagement, dialogue, amnesty, provision of social amenities, and addressing root causes of conflict. These are the sustainable solutions. I also believe the president should continue to properly track and address the underlying issues. For instance, the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development is a step in the right direction. But it must be active, not just exist on paper. From what I know of Mr. President, he is a humble man. He listens. I believe he will get it right and do what is necessary for the country.

The Federal Government has consistently said that funds freed from fuel subsidy removal are now going to the states. What is your message to state governors regarding how these increased allocations should be used?

Everyone has their own jurisdiction. The Federal Government has its role, and state governments have theirs. Governors must sit down and truly work for their people especially in the areas of education, health and social development. While security is primarily the responsibility of the Federal Government, states must focus seriously on education. Nigeria can no longer afford to have children roaming the streets without access to schooling. What kind of future are we building for these children?