Gumi insecurity warning highlights failed military tactics and calls for dialogue, education and economic reforms to tackle Nigeria’s violence

Prominent Kaduna-based Islamic scholar Ahmed Gumi has issued a stark warning that decades of military-led strategies have failed to resolve Nigeria’s deepening insecurity, urging a decisive shift towards dialogue and socio-economic reform.

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Speaking in a wide-ranging interview in Kaduna, Sheikh Gumi said the Gumi insecurity warning reflects the urgent need for a holistic approach that addresses the root causes of banditry and insurgency rather than relying on force alone.

He argued that recent improvements in parts of Kaduna were only temporary, noting that violence often resurfaces in other regions once security pressure shifts.

According to him, without tackling underlying drivers such as poverty, unemployment and poor education, the cycle of violence will persist.

Gumi stressed that engagement with armed groups remains critical, recalling encounters in which bandits questioned whether peace efforts applied nationwide or were limited to specific areas.

He said fragmented interventions allow perpetrators to relocate and continue operations elsewhere.

Referencing Nigeria’s long-running insurgency, he pointed to the period following the killing of Mohammed Yusuf in 2009, arguing that a purely kinetic approach has dominated ever since, with limited long-term success.

He added that rehabilitation programmes, including recent efforts in Maiduguri involving hundreds of former militants, show that non-military strategies can yield measurable results.

Addressing public criticism of reintegration initiatives, Gumi maintained that such programmes are vital for long-term stability.

He said proper documentation and monitoring of participants improve accountability, while also providing valuable insights into the social and ideological factors driving recruitment into armed groups.

The cleric warned that persistent calls for violent crackdowns risk fuelling an endless cycle of retaliation. He noted that insurgent movements often become more extreme when leaders are eliminated, a pattern observed in multiple global conflicts.

A notable moment during the interview came when Gumi dismissed critics who frequently call for his arrest, saying he simply laughs off such reactions. He insisted that dialogue should not be misconstrued as sympathy, but rather seen as a practical tool for conflict resolution.

Beyond security operations, he called for what he described as a transformative investment in human development, including education reform, job creation and skills acquisition.

He warned that millions of out-of-school children, particularly in northern Nigeria, represent a serious and growing risk if left without opportunities.

Gumi also cautioned against external actors exploiting internal divisions, warning that unresolved conflicts could be manipulated to further destabilise the country. He urged authorities at all levels to prioritise national cohesion and inclusive development.

Looking ahead, he warned that escalating insecurity could have serious implications for future elections, potentially disrupting voting in affected areas.

Despite the challenges, Gumi expressed cautious optimism, pointing to community-led peace efforts in parts of northern Nigeria as evidence that dialogue can produce results when supported by political will.

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He concluded that lasting peace will depend on a balanced strategy that combines security measures with meaningful engagement and economic inclusion.