Popular Islamic cleric and peace negotiator, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has said that the Federal Government is aware of the hideouts of bandits terrorizing the nation.
The Islamic cleric said this on Channels TV “Politics Today” on Monday, when he was asked why he could locate and hold dialogue with bandits, while government authorities could not find them.
Gumi stated that the government was only now playing safe because it realized that the former approach of attacking the bandits upfront was not working.
He said: “They (government) know. They see them (bandits) by aerial view. But the military has learned its lesson.
“The first approach they had— when they go in and start killing— they realised is the wrong way and that they were producing a monster. They are now careful.
“The only element I am adding now is ‘look, don’t just wait and watch, go in and negotiate’.”
He added that the Fulani herders feel their existence is being threatened, so they cross borders to defend their kinsmen any time they are under attack.
Noting that Fulani bandits were not Boko Haram, Gumi said, “We have to be very careful.
“If the pressure is too much, I am afraid they can be influenced by Boko Ham. We have seen the signs that Boko Haram is going to infiltrate them.”
