Negotiation with terrorists not against Bible or Quran, Sheikh Gumi reveals

Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, an Islamic cleric based in Kaduna, asserts that negotiating with terrorists is a globally accepted strategy and is not forbidden by the Bible or the Quran. In a BBC interview on Tuesday, Gumi, who has positioned himself as a mediator for bandits, dismissed objections against government negotiations with them.

He stated, “I don’t understand where the idea that we shouldn’t negotiate with terror comes from. It’s not in the Bible or the Quran, nor is it practiced this way.” Gumi emphasized that he would continue to advocate for dialogue to prevent further violence, noting that even powerful nations have utilized similar strategies. He referenced U.S.-Taliban negotiations, saying, “We negotiate for peace and our strategic interests. If negotiations can stop bloodshed, we will pursue them.”

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He further remarked that many entities are already engaging with bandits, citing America’s negotiations with the Taliban in Qatar as an example. “Everyone is negotiating with outlaws and non-state actors. Where do these people get their information from?” he questioned.

Gumi has consistently opposed military actions against bandits, arguing that they are rational individuals and promoting dialogue instead. He believes that such efforts to achieve peace with bandits align with Islamic principles and has even advocated for an amnesty approach similar to that used in the Niger Delta region.

Despite these efforts, banditry remains a significant issue in several states, including Zamfara, Sokoto, Yobe, Katsina, Niger, Kwara, Kogi, and Kaduna, where mass killings and abductions continue. Initiatives for peace led by state governments have so far proven ineffective in yielding substantial outcomes.