According to the report from the Vanguard, a Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi explained that bandits were initially involved in an ethnic conflict, which could have been resolved peacefully. However, he cautioned that an intensified military approach would push the bandits towards adopting ideological motivations similar to guerilla warfare.
Gumi expressed disappointment that his warnings went unheeded, as ideological warfare is more challenging to eradicate, as seen with Boko Haram.
He noted that both groups commit similar crimes, but the new ideological motivation leads the bandits to believe they are acting in the name of God, painting a dire picture of the situation.
According to Sheikh Gumi, “Initially, bandits were fighting an ethnic war that could be resolved. I warned if the kinetic [approach] is intensified, they will turn into ideologically motivated guerilla warfare. Nobody listened. The difference between the former and the latter is that ideological war is almost intractable; Boko Haram is an example. They commit the same crime, but this time, they think they are serving God. The picture is gloomy.”….Vïêw–Môrê