From Sola Ojo, Abuja
As far as the famous Kaduna-based Islamic Scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, is concerned, indoctrination of already frustrated herders by the emerging terrorist group, Lakurawa, poses a great danger to the territorial integrity of the country.
To him, the Federal Government must do everything it can, and fast too, to win the herders to its side through negotiations rather than military action, which he believes, has not been able to address the security situation in the region despite having its sons as ministers of defense and state defense. Excerpt:
Still, on this Lakurawa issue, how could foreigners choose Nigeria, especially North, of all countries and regions, as a base for their nefarious activities? What comes to your mind?
Yes, they are foreigners. But then, there must be a crack in the wall before lizards can access a house. That is why I have been calling for the rehabilitation of the herdsmen to avoid what is about to play out. Unfortunately, some people think the only solution to the herdsmen issue is the kinetic approach. Now, they have been pushed to the wall and now serving as hosts to these invading terrorists. Mark it, they are not just coming to Nigeria to perpetrate crime; they are coming with an ideological indoctrination, which is the most difficult part of this invasion. Look at the way they came and started killing people in Kebbi and Sokoto states. The people that can repel such terrorists are the herders because they have the same abode. But unfortunately, Nigeria is not ready to enable them to do that. Let me give you an example. Boko Haram are mostly indigenous Kanuri people in the Northeast. Their leaders, Mallam Yusuf and Shekau were Kanuri, and most of their foot soldiers were Kanuri as well. These same Boko Haram tried to infiltrate Kano, but failed because of tribal differences. These Boko Haram guys cannot thrive in Sokoto because of ethnic reasons. So, these Lakurawa gangs would not be able to thrive in Nigeria because they can easily be identified in normal Nigerian communities. So, we mustn’t make indigenous people enemies of government. It is important we remove enemies and hostility and then address any emerging grievances whether in the North or the South. Those whose memories still serve well will remember the Niger Delta uprising because their land was exploited, polluted, destroyed, and abandoned by the government and the miners. They took up arms against the state, and very smartly, the government of the late Yar’Adua granted them amnesty, and there was peace in the region. Why doesn’t the government pacify the herders who have lost their animals, businesses, and family members? The same principle should be applied in the Southeast. They should be listened to because they are destroying the social life and economy of the region, which is still a part of Nigeria. They are killing their fellow brothers and sisters, declaring and enforcing sit-at-home. Whereas, if we can open room for dialogue on the so much talked about secession, we will know who is in support and who is against. Let us conduct a referendum among the South Easterners and see where the majority of them are. After that, we will conduct a national referendum where we will further discuss that issue. You will be surprised that maybe those calling for secession are below one-third of the Igbo population. The same approach with the herdsmen. I have gone into the bush. I’ve met with them. I’ve talked with them. It is not something that cannot be managed through dialogue.
How can the neighbouring countries help us to address this challenge?
Nigeria has already shown enmity to countries like the Republic of Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali over their coup regimes. There is a need for a round table for the stakeholders to come together and iron things out.
Does that mean the Federal Government should take this development lightly since the storm seems calming down?
No, it should not be taken lightly, considering the number of people already killed, maimed, and displaced by these invaders. See, there is too much hardship in this country. Even for those who are not displaced, the economic situation is making it hot for them. I heard that even the International Monetary Fund (IMF) confirmed that our economy is not showing any significant changes. So, we are going down the hill. Because of this, many young persons will like to join all these terrorist groups thereby worsening the security situation in the country. It is important government takes this matter very seriously and urgently address it.
How could this Lakurawa group be handled before things get out of hand because they have started spreading from Sokoto and Kebbi to other parts of the country?
See, this is an ideology. As an ideological group, the Lakurawa came with an ideology that cannot be killed. We don’t also want them to infuse it into the naive herders. The failure of the government to tackle this issue is like allowing foreigners to infiltrate your country and indoctrinate your people. That is the danger. I have been saying this right from the onset. Right from the day I came out from the forest. I said then that, we needed to draw these herders to our side. Now, the bad elements who want to destroy this country are taking them over.
How?
To talk with them, but, the government is busy doing something else, especially the last regime. That was when we had the opportunity to do it well. Rather, they were busy buying obsolete machines of war. How can you fight insurgency and banditry with the Air Force? You can only create more problems when you kill their children and women. Before, these herders didn’t kill when they kidnapped; they were asking for peanuts in thousands. But now, they demand for. millions. We are hardening them by fighting them. Don’t misunderstand me. What they are doing is crime. The point now is how do we use our intellectual capability as a country to deal with this issue or insecurity because the country is stronger and more intelligent than them. If a man can tame a lion, then, the country can tame a small group like Lakurawa.
You once saw this insecurity as a Northern issue that could only be addressed by the Northern political elite. Now, that both the Minister for Defense and Minister of State Defense are from the North, do you see them helping the region out of this challenge?
They are Northern leaders, but with different views. The thinking is to bring everyone on board, including the culprits, like the Zamfara State governor, who thinks that the kinetic approach is the only solution. Sometimes, a dialogue will be going on and before you know it, there is bombardment and that destroys everything. This has happened several times and now they don’t trust the government again. They need someone they can trust, and the government should also trust some people who are patriotic and nationalistic to serve as an intermediate between the government and these people. We need a group comprising traditional leaders, religious leaders, and some other people. Both sides will agree to come in between so that peace can be brokered.
Is it possible that this emerging Lakurawa group can be tackled?
Yes, it is possible. When Ansar-U-Deen attacked the Abuja-Kaduna railway, where some people got killed and several others kidnapped, the government immediately set up a committee that went into action, and in the end, the abductees were released. So, the government has seen how negotiations, not firing, can address the issue. When you use force, you kill women and children. So, it should be done in a wider way so it can be effective.