Kaduna-based Islamic scholar Abubakar Gumi has claimed that the Nigerian government is fully aware of the identities and locations of terrorists operating across the country.
Gumi made the remarks during a recent interview with DRTV, which began trending on Tuesday.
The cleric was responding to allegations suggesting that he personally knows and interacts with terrorists and bandits responsible for insecurity in some regions of Nigeria, and that he often speaks on their behalf.
“The government knows every terrorist by name and by location. I don’t go alone to negotiate — I go with the police and other security agencies,” he stated.
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Gumi explained that some of his engagements with these armed groups have involved visits to traditional rulers as well as trips into forests believed to be hideouts for bandits.
“I would go to the Emirs. In fact, when we went to one forest, I even went with women into the bush,” he added.
The scholar has previously participated in controversial dialogue initiatives with armed groups in northern Nigeria, emphasizing that negotiation can be an effective tool to reduce violence and encourage fighters to surrender.