Dialogue, Not Force, Key to Ending Terrorism in Nigeria — Gumi

Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has argued that military action alone cannot end terrorism in Nigeria, urging the government to engage insurgents through dialogue to understand their demands.
In a statement shared on social media, Gumi warned that intensified military operations often provoke retaliatory attacks on civilians, leaving vulnerable communities caught between security forces and armed groups. He noted that without addressing the root causes of terrorism, efforts to defeat it may remain ineffective.
According to him, asking insurgents what they truly want is central to resolving the crisis, stressing that violence cannot solve problems created by violence. He maintained that understanding motivations behind insurgency is essential for crafting lasting solutions.
The cleric, who has consistently advocated negotiations, referenced international diplomacy efforts such as talks between the United States and Iran as an example of resolving conflicts through engagement rather than force.
Nigeria continues to battle insurgency from groups like Boko Haram, which has waged a violent campaign since 2009, seeking to impose strict religious rule in parts of the country.
Gumi has also renewed calls for amnesty for insurgents, drawing parallels with the Niger Delta militants who were granted pardon under the administration of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
He previously criticized foreign military interventions, including reported airstrikes in northern Nigeria, describing them as counterproductive and warning they could deepen tensions rather than resolve the crisis.