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• Reveals how he goes with military, police to negotiate with insurgents
By Chinelo Obogo
Nigerians have reacted with fury to claims by controversial Kaduna-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Abubakar Gumi, that the Federal Government has detailed information on the identities and hideouts of terrorists operating across the country but has failed to act .
Speaking in a recent DRTV interview, Gumi addressed rumours that he negotiates with bandits on his own, stressing the involvement of police, military, and other officials. He said his interactions with armed groups are coordinated closely with security agencies.
“The government knows every terrorist by name and by location. I don’t go alone to negotiate, I go with the police, military, and other security agencies,” he said.
The cleric revealed that some of his efforts take him deep into forests and remote communities, sometimes even accompanied by local women. “I would go to the Emirs. In fact, when we went to one forest, I even went with women into the bush,” he added.
Gumi has long advocated dialogue as a tool to reduce violence, often sparking controversy for interacting with groups considered enemies of the state. He argued that these efforts complement security operations rather than replace them, highlighting the importance of negotiation alongside law enforcement.
Observers note that Gumi’s approach underscores the complexity of addressing Nigeria’s insecurity, where military action alone may not suffice. His collaboration with traditional leaders and security agencies demonstrates a hybrid strategy aimed at curbing violence and encouraging disarmament.
Despite these efforts, insecurity remains high in several northern states, prompting debate on whether dialogue initiatives have tangible results. Critics argue that without accountability and transparency, negotiations could inadvertently legitimise armed groups.
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Gumi’s statements have reignited national conversations on counterterrorism strategies, with many Nigerians discussing the balance between dialogue, intelligence gathering, and military action. His insights suggest that tackling terrorism in Nigeria may require innovative approaches that merge community engagement with formal security measures.
Meanwhile, his latest allegations has elicited criticism on social media, with many Nigerians questioning why the government would possess such intelligence without acting on it.
Activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore alleged collusion between the government and criminals. “Gumi is not lying. All these terrorists are in beds with people in the government. Whenever there is mass kidnapping, why do you think the government is able to hear from the terrorists? It is because they have their phone numbers,” Sowore said.
Veteran musician Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, echoed similar sentiments. “This is what leadership in Nigeria is up to, in Bed with those who want to kill us,” he wrote.
Social media user Shuaibu expressed surprise at the lack of official response. “Gumi said boldly on national TV that Tinubu’s FG knows the names and locations of every terrorist in Nigeria. Yet, nothing is being done about this crucial issue. News outlets are not even giving it the attention it deserves,” he said.
Another user, Olusegun Bakare, drew connections to recent controversial statements by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu , saying: “The Tinubu government knows every terrorist by name, says Gumi. No wonder Nuhu said they are his brothers,” Bakare wrote.
Another user, Christiana Daniel said: “Sheik Gumi is saying the government knows this terrorist by name and location and has chosen to look through other ways. Our government is complicit” while one user, Capt. Arinze Odira, expressed shock at the revelation. “Is this real or AI? I don’t want to believe it is real. Just for me to be able to sleep well tonight, even if it is real, I will try to convince myself that he is lying,” he said.
