Sheikh Gumi claims government knows identities, locations of terrorists

Kaduna-based Islamic scholar, Sheikh Abubakar Gumi, has alleged that the Nigerian government is aware of the identities and locations of terrorists operating across the country.

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

Gumi was responding to allegations that he personally knows and regularly interacts with terrorists and bandits responsible for insecurity in parts of Nigeria and that he often speaks on their behalf.

Reacting to the accusations, the Islamic scholar said his contacts with armed groups were not carried out independently, insisting that security agencies were aware of and involved in the engagements.

“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.

Gumi added that some of the engagements involved visits to traditional rulers and trips into forests believed to be hideouts of bandits.

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

The cleric has previously been involved in controversial dialogue initiatives with armed groups in northern Nigeria, arguing that negotiation could help reduce violence and encourage fighters to lay down their arms.