Amnesty Is Halal For Them, And Haram In The North; Where Are Those Saying No Amnesty For Criminals-Gumi

Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has weighed in on the reported surrender of arms by no fewer than 80 militants in Cross River State, an action carried out under the state government’s amnesty programme in Akpabuyo Local Government Area.

The militants were said to have voluntarily surrendered their weapons as part of ongoing efforts by the Cross River State Government to restore peace, reduce violent activities, and reintegrate former fighters into society. The development has been described by local authorities as a major boost to security in the coastal communities of the state.

Reacting to the news through a post on his Facebook page, the controversial Islamic cleric drew attention to what he described as unequal public reactions to amnesty initiatives across different parts of the country. Sharing the report, Gumi wrote: “Militants under the state government’s amnesty programme in Akpabuyo Local Government Area. Amnesty halal for them, haram in the north. Where are those noisy idiots saying no amnesty for criminals.”

Gumi’s comment appeared to target critics who strongly oppose the idea of amnesty or negotiation with armed groups in northern Nigeria, particularly in relation to banditry and insurgency. He has, on several occasions, advocated dialogue as a tool for ending violent conflicts, arguing that military force alone has not delivered lasting peace.

The latest surrender in Cross River has again brought the issue of regional balance into the national conversation. While amnesty programmes in the South have often been applauded as practical solutions, similar proposals in the North have faced harsh resistance and moral objections.

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