ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- A Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Abubakar Gumi, has stirred fresh debate over Nigeria’s security situation after claiming that authorities already know the identities and locations of terrorists operating across the country.
The controversial scholar made the remarks during an interview with DRTV, a clip of which began circulating widely online on Tuesday.
Gumi was reacting to accusations that he maintains personal relationships with bandits and extremist groups responsible for violent attacks in parts of northern Nigeria.
Defending his role in past dialogue efforts with armed groups, the cleric said his meetings with them were not conducted privately but involved security officials.
“The government knows every terrorist by name and by location. I don’t go alone to negotiate, I go with the police, military, and other security agencies,” he said.
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He further explained that some of the engagements required travelling deep into remote forests believed to be strongholds of armed groups.
According to him, the trips sometimes involved visits to traditional rulers before entering areas controlled by bandits.
“I would go to the Emirs. In fact, when we went to one forest, I even went with women into the bush,” he added.
Gumi has long advocated dialogue as part of efforts to end the violence in northern Nigeria, arguing that negotiations could persuade fighters to lay down their arms.
However, his involvement in such discussions has repeatedly sparked controversy and criticism from sections of the public.