Islamic scholar and cleric Shaikh Ahmad Gumi has issued a strong warning to those opposed to peace efforts with armed groups, stating that rejecting dialogue leaves only the painful option of enduring the consequences of war.
Gumi made the remark while speaking on his long-standing advocacy for negotiations and peaceful engagement with bandits and other armed groups operating in parts of northern Nigeria.
According to him, societies that dismiss opportunities for peace often find themselves trapped in prolonged cycles of violence, suffering heavy human and economic losses.
The Kaduna-based cleric has been one of the most vocal proponents of non-military approaches to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, particularly banditry and mass kidnappings in the North-West and North-Central regions.
His peace outreach initiatives, which have involved direct engagement with armed groups, have generated both support and sharp criticism from the public and political actors.
In his statement, Gumi stressed that war is never without consequences, noting that civilians usually bear the greatest burden. He argued that continued reliance on force alone has failed to end insecurity, instead deepening resentment, displacement, and poverty in affected communities.
“When peace is rejected,” he warned, “violence becomes inevitable, and its impact spares no one.”
Supporters of Gumi’s approach say his position reflects a pragmatic understanding of conflict resolution, especially in regions where decades of neglect, unemployment, and poor governance have fueled criminality.
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