Gumi: I’ll Support IPOB, Boko Haram If They Embrace Peaceful Dialogue

Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has said he would be willing to support armed groups such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Boko Haram insurgents if they are prepared to renounce violence and embrace dialogue with the Nigerian government.

Speaking during a recent interview, the cleric said peaceful negotiations remain one of the most effective ways to resolve conflicts and restore stability in the country.

Gumi explained that his past engagements with bandits and other armed groups were not carried out alone, noting that security personnel usually accompanied him during such meetings.

According to him, officials of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security agencies were often present during the discussions, which sometimes took place in remote areas including forests.

He further claimed that the Federal Government is aware of the identities and hideouts of many terrorists operating in different parts of the country.

“The government knows every terrorist by name and location. I don’t go alone to negotiate with them; I go with the police, the military and other security agencies,” he said.

The cleric also expressed concern over growing public distrust in government, noting that many Nigerians believe authorities often fail to match promises with concrete actions.

Gumi urged the government to involve experts such as intellectuals and criminologists in discussions aimed at addressing the country’s security challenges.

He also stressed the need for greater investment in social development, arguing that poor infrastructure, weak healthcare systems and inadequate education contribute to insecurity.

According to him, addressing these issues through development initiatives and non-kinetic approaches could help tackle some of the root causes of violence across the country.