Dare Babalola
Prominent Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has prayed for divine intervention to end Nigeria’s escalating insecurity, calling down punishment on those responsible for the bloodshed, whether Nigerian or foreign.
In a post he made via Facebook on Thursday, Gumi urged Allah to expose and punish the perpetrators immediately, without harming innocent lives.
He wrote, “My prayer today: Ya Allah!
Whoever is behind this insecurity and bloodbath in Nigeria, whether foreign or citizen, or has any benefit, material or otherwise, or is even happy that people are being killed, may by Your divine power be exposed and Your anger poured upon them and punished immediately without harm to the innocent. Amin. Say Amin!”
Sheikh Gumi, a prominent Islamic cleric in Nigeria, has been a vocal figure in the country’s security discourse, particularly regarding the ongoing insecurity and banditry in the North-West region.
Gumi’s prayer comes against the backdrop of his long-standing advocacy for dialogue and negotiation with bandits and other armed groups. He has consistently argued that military force alone cannot resolve the complex security challenges facing Nigeria, emphasising the need for a multifaceted approach that includes education, moral instruction, and addressing socio-economic grievances.
In the past, Gumi has sparked controversy by downplaying allegations of Christian genocide in Nigeria, attributing such claims to a deliberate attempt to discredit Shariah law and fuel Islamophobia. He has also accused some Christian groups of staging fake mass killings and burying empty coffins to promote a narrative of genocide, a claim that has been vehemently denied by Christian leaders.
Gumi’s stance on the issue has been criticised by some, who accuse him of being soft on terrorism and undermining national security efforts. However, he maintains that his approach is aimed at addressing the root causes of insecurity and promoting lasting peace.
The cleric has also been involved in efforts to negotiate with bandits and secure the release of kidnapped victims, including the Abuja-Kaduna train passengers. He has urged the government to consider offering amnesty to repentant bandits and addressing the socio-economic grievances that drive individuals to join armed groups.
