SHEIKH GUMI: I’LL SUPPORT IPOB, BOKO HARAM, BANDITS IF THEY ABANDON VIOLENCE AND SEEK PEACE TALKS

Controversial Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi has said he would be willing to support armed groups in Nigeria if they renounce violence and agree to engage in peaceful dialogue with the government.Speaking during an interview with DRTV, Gumi stated that groups such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Boko Haram, and armed bandits could receive his support only if they abandon violence and embrace negotiations with the Nigerian government.According to the cleric, dialogue remains a powerful tool for resolving conflicts and restoring peace in troubled regions across the country.“Dialogue can bring peace, and we are men of peace. Even IPOB may be ready to put down their arms and come to a round table to discuss. I’m ready and would support them. All we don’t want is violence,” Gumi said during the interview.Gumi also argued that Nigeria’s growing security challenges cannot be solved through military action alone, urging authorities to combine security operations with negotiation, intellectual strategies, and broader peace-building efforts.His comments have sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians, with some supporting the idea of dialogue to reduce violence, while others strongly oppose negotiating with groups involved in violent activities.