Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has questioned why the Federal Government has not adopted the same dialogue approach used with Niger Delta militants to engage Boko Haram insurgents and armed bandits in parts of northern Nigeria.

Gumi made the remarks in a Facebook post on Saturday, reigniting debate over whether negotiation should play a role in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges.

References Niger Delta Engagement

The cleric recalled that former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo visited militants in the Niger Delta as part of efforts to end unrest in the oil-producing region.

“The former President Jonathan visited Delta militants in the creeks, so also the former Vice President Osinbajo. They all came up with a programme to tame the militants,” he wrote.

He then questioned who would be willing to initiate similar engagement with Boko Haram and bandits without facing criticism.

“Who is going to visit BH and bandits to tame them without fools castigating them?” he asked.

Longstanding Position on Dialogue

Gumi has consistently argued that dialogue and rehabilitation offer a better path to ending violence in Nigeria’s North-West and North-East than relying solely on military operations.

Over the years, he has visited camps linked to armed groups in states such as Zamfara, maintaining that negotiations could encourage fighters to abandon violence.

Cleric Rejects Terrorism Allegations

The cleric has repeatedly denied supporting terrorism or criminal activities, insisting that his advocacy for dialogue is intended to reduce bloodshed and restore peace in affected communities.

His latest comments have generated fresh reactions online, with supporters backing calls for alternative conflict-resolution strategies, while critics argue that negotiations with terrorist groups could undermine ongoing security operations.