By Omoniyi David
Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has said terrorists and bandits terrorising parts of Nigeria are “reasonable human beings” who should be pacified, not killed.
Speaking on VOP TV, Gumi said his peace efforts aimed to “pacify and redirect” insurgents, arguing that force only worsens insecurity.
“They are human beings. They listen and reason, but if you use force against force, you’ll compound the problem,” he said.
He noted that even the U.S. military could not completely eliminate terrorists in Afghanistan or Syria.
According to him, bombing insurgents would cause more harm, as they have already infiltrated communities.
“More Muslims and Christians will be killed if America drops bombs in Nigeria,” he warned.
Gumi’s remarks followed Donald Trump’s recent threat of military action against terrorists in Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians.
