Bandits Remain In Crime Because It Funds Their Operations — Gumi

Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has said that many herdsmen involved in banditry continue in criminal activities because they see it as their only means of survival and financing their operations.

Speaking during an interview on Africa Independent Television (AIT) on the programme “Ending Insecurity; Amnesty and Negotiation with Bandits,” Gumi said neglect and lack of government support had worsened insecurity in parts of the country.

He argued that successive governments failed to adequately address the challenges facing herders or implement meaningful programmes to modernise pastoral livelihoods.

According to him, this neglect contributed significantly to the rising insecurity in several regions.

“Not one kobo of our Nigerian budget goes to them,” Gumi said, lamenting what he described as systemic government neglect of herding communities.

The cleric also claimed that many bandits were not living luxurious lifestyles despite their involvement in criminal activities, insisting that some survive under harsh conditions.

He further argued that the financial demands of sustaining armed groups make it difficult for them to abandon banditry.

“If they leave banditry, they won’t have a source of financing for their war machine,” he said.

Gumi added that many of the groups believe they are under continuous military pressure, alleging that security forces carry out aerial bombardments against them.

“We are under pressure to fight the government. The government that has helicopters is bombarding us. So remove the pressure, the need for the money is there,” he stated.