Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has said that bandits find themselves in the criminal activities because of the ugly situations in the country.

Gumi, in a chat with newsmen explained that bandits want peace because they are tired.

According to him, the bandits were ready to lay down their arms if they get a genuine partnership from the government.

When asked if bandits were tired, Gumi said: “Yes, it’s very true because bandits are saying they were pushed into banditry by circumstances.

“If they have a genuine partner, they are ready to stop it; they are tired and want peace.

“As regards their ongoing activities, you realise that even when soldiers are fighting and a ceasefire is declared, it takes a long time before they stop fighting.

“We are able to see about 80 per cent of the big ones and then some small splinter groups which we could not meet because due to circumstances as we cannot go into the bush again.

“But generally, they are ready for peace, in fact, we have gathered their representatives, discussed with them, and they said they are ready but need a genuine partner. Politics is the cause of this issue.”

What you should know 

Bandits have been wreaking havoc in the Northern part of the country and have made schools in some Northern states unsafe.

Gumi, a controversial Islamic scholar has been at the forefront of advocating negotiations for the bandits. 

He recently advised the Federal Government to support splinter groups among bandits as a way to end mass abductions of school pupils.

According to him, many bandits were ready for a dialogue, adding that government could use them to fight the “ugly ones.”