Nigerian activist and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has called on the Nigerian government to immediately arrest Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi over comments he allegedly made regarding bandits and the country’s ongoing security challenges.
The call follows a viral video in which Gumi was heard saying that Fulani herdsmen “are part of us and we are part of them. We must live with them”, remarks critics have interpreted as being sympathetic to armed groups. Adeyanju reacted on his Facebook page, insisting that anyone seen as promoting or defending violent groups should be treated as a security threat.
He wrote: “People like Gumi can only survive in a country without a government. Terrorist sympathizers are terrorists. His words and actions promote terrorism in Nigeria. I call on the government to arrest him to serve as a deterrent to others”.
In verified interviews, Gumi has consistently argued that Nigeria’s insecurity is linked to broader ethnic and socio-economic conflicts, and he has often advocated for negotiation or amnesty approaches rather than purely military solutions. These positions have repeatedly drawn public criticism, with opponents accusing him of being overly sympathetic to armed groups, while supporters argue he is promoting dialogue to reduce violence.
The controversy reflects the long-running national debate over how best to address banditry and insecurity in parts of Nigeria, particularly in the North-West and North-Central regions.
