Renowned Islamic cleric, scholar, and former military officer, Ahmad Gumi has shared his point of view as regards the proposed declaration of bandits as terrorists.
Ahmad Gumi said;
“So it’s just a nomenclature which I believe will not change the dynamics on ground.
“If you can remember, IPOB was also declared a terrorist organisation. The declaration was even backed by the order of the Court, but as you can see even the international community did not recognise FG’s declaration on IPOB.
“So it has failed to be effective or to achieve the desired results.
“They have not been banned from travelling to other countries, while their citizenship remains intact; it has not been denounced. “So what type of declaration is that?
“I sincerely hope that Nigerians will not take the herdsmen as terrorists, but should regard the criminality of the few among them against innocent people as acts of terrorism just as we see IPOB and their attacks on security agencies and other northern citizens as acts of terrorism.
“Very few herdsmen are bandits if you go through their population.
“I hope this declaration will not give the licence to people to be profiling herdsmen in general as terrorists and taking laws into their hands against them.
“It will cause more mayhem. The declaration will not change anything, it will not change the dynamics. Already the military is engaging them.
“It didn’t stop them from kidnappings and killings. The declaration will not end their aggression against the society.
“We told the federal government the way out. It can only be won through engagement, dialogue and justice.
“That is why today there is relative peace in the Niger Delta because government have accepted the painful reality of rehabilitating and empowering them.
“There has to be equitable distribution of wealth in Nigeria and justice for every one.
“People don’t want to accept it. Before the issue of banditry that now affects all of us, the Fulani have suffered so much.”
