Ahmad Gumi, an Islamic cleric based in Kaduna, has alleged that Katsina State engaged bandits, provided them with financial incentives, and suggested enrolling their children in school as part of a broader approach to addressing insecurity.
According to a report by Daily Trust on Monday, May 25, 2027, Gumi made the claim during a press conference held at his residence in Kaduna on Monday. He said Katsina State allegedly engaged bandits, gave them money, and allowed them to leave with the armed groups. He questioned the approach, asking why a different strategy was not being considered.
According to him, authorities should engage the bandits, dislodge them from the forests, and enroll their children in school as part of a non-kinetic solution. He further argued that new ideas are often resisted until budgets are involved and funds are allocated for implementation.
In his words, “What Katsina did was to bring in the bandits, give them money, and then let them leave with the rebels. Why don’t we change the method? Let’s engage them.
“Let’s dislodge them from the forest. Let’s take their kids and enroll them in school. Let’s do something different but you know, when you want money to be used, when you want a budget to be spent, that’s when it will happen.”