According to Bashir Ahmad, former presidential aide to formerPresident Muhammadu Buhari, on Saturday November 22, 2025, publicly reacted to a longstanding statement by Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a controversial Islamic scholar known for his engagements with bandit groups in northern Nigeria.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Ahmad quoted Gumi’s 2021 remark: “Bandits don’t live a luxury life, they live in huts, they have nothing, sometimes they drink from the stream.” Ahmad’s response was direct and unequivocal: “This is not right. This is just not right, Sheikh.” He reacted.
Sheikh Gumi’s original comment, captured in a May 4, 2021, video clip shared by Africa Independent Television (AIT), emerged during one of his high-profile visits to bandit enclaves in Zamfara State. Accompanied by armed herders and their families, Gumi used the statement to portray the perpetrators—often labeled as bandits or armed herders—as impoverished and marginalized rather than ideologically driven criminals.
He argued that their rudimentary living conditions, including shelter in basic huts and reliance on natural water sources, underscored systemic neglect by the government, such as inadequate access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
Gumi has consistently advocated for non-military approaches, including dialogue and amnesty, positioning bandits as victims of ethnic and socioeconomic disparities rather than irredeemable threats. This perspective has drawn both praise for fostering potential peace talks and sharp criticism for appearing to humanize violence that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced communities since escalating in 2011.
Ahmad’s objection highlights the risk of statements that could inadvertently downplay the gravity of banditry. As a Buharist and digital communications strategist, Ahmad’s challenge aligns with calls for stronger condemnation of criminality, emphasizing accountability over sympathy.
Ahmad’s post serves as a reminder that rhetorical framing matters in shaping policy and public resolve, urging a balanced approach that addresses root causes without compromising statistical danger of atrocities. As Nigeria navigates its security landscape, such voices continue to influence the narrative toward decisive action. View, More,
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