Federal Government Knows Identities, Locations Of Terrorists – Gumi

Renowned controversial Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Abubakar Ahmad Gumi, has alleged that the Nigerian government is aware of the identities and locations of terrorists operating in different parts of the country.

Gumi made the claim during a recent interview with DRTV, which began trending on Tuesday.

The cleric spoke while reacting to accusations that he personally knows and frequently interacts with terrorists and bandits responsible for insecurity in parts of Nigeria, and that he often speaks on their behalf.

Responding to the allegations, Gumi maintained that the government and security agencies are aware of the terrorists and their locations.

According to him, his engagements with armed groups are not carried out alone but in collaboration with security agencies.

“The government knows every terrorist by name and by location. I don’t go alone to negotiate — I go with the police and other security agencies,” he said.

The cleric insisted that his involvement in dialogue initiatives with the armed groups has always been done with the knowledge and participation of government authorities.

Gumi further disclosed that some of the engagements involved visits to traditional rulers and trips into forests believed to serve as hideouts for bandits.

According to him, such visits were sometimes undertaken as part of efforts to facilitate dialogue with the armed groups.

“I would go to the Emirs. In fact, when we went to one forest, I even went with women into the bush,” he said.

Gumi has in the past participated in controversial dialogue initiatives with armed groups operating in northern Nigeria.

The cleric has repeatedly argued that negotiation and engagement with the fighters could help reduce violence and persuade them to lay down their arms.

His approach has, however, generated debate among Nigerians, with critics questioning the strategy and the nature of his interactions with the groups involved in banditry and terrorism.