Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has opined that addressing those perpetrating violence rather than focusing first on their victims should be the priority in Nigeria’s worsening security crisis.
Naijaonpoint reports that Gumi, during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief on Tuesday, said the only way to stop the ongoing cycle of killings is to confront the attackers directly and deprive them of the means to inflict further harm.
The cleric drew a medical analogy to explain his approach, stressing that in any emergency, the first step is to prevent further damage, not to begin treating those already hurt.
Gunmi pushed back against criticism that his methods prioritise the welfare of armed groups over their victims, insisting that the state possesses adequate structures to respond to those affected.
He said, “When you have an emergency, you can only be concerned about stopping the bleeding, not even the fracture, maintaining the cardiovascular potency.
“I am so much concerned about those who are injuring people. Imagine a mad man in the market in the night who has stabbed so many people my approach is to get that knife from the man, not the people who are injured.
“Some people say we have neglected the victims. We have not neglected the victims.
“The victims have an emergency agency that can take care of them, we have state governors, we have everything to take care of them.”
Gumi emphasised that his focus does not imply disregard for victims, but rather a strategic attempt to end the violence more effectively.
According to him, he is not in a position to provide direct support to victims, emphasising that existing government agencies have the responsibility and capacity to do so.
He stated, “I am not an authority and I cannot take care of everybody. My concern is that blood should stop flowing.”
Gumi said his stance is informed by years of firsthand encounters with bandits, insisting that the government also recognises that his approach could work but is held back by political disagreements.
The cleric compared the banditry crisis to an untreated illness, insisting that authorities must examine its root causes before any lasting solution can emerge.
He added, “I have seen this firsthand. This is what will work and government and people have understood that but I think for political reason, they cannot come together and implement it.
“If you want to cure a disease, you have to go back and see the psychologist — what caused the disease.”
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