Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi has claimed that the Federal Government of Nigeria is aware of the identities and locations of terrorists operating in parts of the country.
Gumi made the remarks while speaking about his controversial meetings with armed groups in regions affected by insecurity.
Cleric speaks on negotiations
According to the cleric, he does not meet with the groups alone whenever he engages in dialogue efforts. Instead, he said he usually goes to such meetings accompanied by members of Nigeria’s security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Gumi explained that his involvement is part of broader attempts to encourage dialogue and find solutions to the security challenges affecting several communities.
He said:
“The Federal Government knows every terrorist by name and location. I do not go alone to negotiate with them. I go with police, military, and other security agencies.”
Reactions trail the claim
His statement has since triggered reactions from Nigerians on social media, with many users sharing differing views about the remarks.
One user, @MrCentc, wrote:
“Northern elites and government know everything about bandits and terrorists’ operations. Gumi doesn’t act alone — they know. That’s why nothing happens when attacks occur. My people are in trouble.”
Another user, @Danjay_P7, commented:
“This is a state capture! In simple terms, Nigeria is no longer serving the people; it is serving a few powerful interests behind the scenes. But to achieve what exactly?”
Meanwhile, @idris_senator suggested the cleric might be telling the truth, referencing recent statements from security officials about handling banditry.
The comments continue to fuel debate online about the government’s approach to tackling insecurity and the role of dialogue in addressing armed violence.
Watch the video below…
“The FG knows every tërrorist by name and location. I do not go alone to negotiate with the tërrorists. I go with police, military, and other security agencies” — Sheikh Gumi.
— YabaLeftOnline (@yabaleftonline) March 9, 2026
