A statement recently attributed to Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a well-known Islamic cleric from northern Nigeria, has sparked widespread debate and concern. According to reports, Sheikh Gumi allegedly stated that during his engagements and meetings with bandits, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigerian Defence Intelligence (NDI) were present with him. This claim has led many Nigerians to ask critical questions about the root of insecurity in the country.
This issue is not new. In the past, similar concerns have been raised regarding the government’s approach to negotiations with armed groups. Reintroducing this discussion is necessary, especially for Nigerians at home and abroad who continue to search for answers about why insecurity persists despite massive investments in security operations.
If it is indeed true that state security agencies accompany intermediaries to bandit hideouts, it suggests that such engagements may be officially sanctioned. Under such circumstances, placing sole responsibility on Sheikh Gumi would be misleading. Rather, attention should be directed toward the policies and directives that permit or enable such interactions in the first place.
Many Nigerians find it troubling that the government consistently denies any involvement in sustaining insecurity, while reports and public statements appear to suggest otherwise. This contradiction has deepened public mistrust and reinforced the belief that the insecurity crisis is not merely a failure of intelligence or military capacity, but also a reflection of flawed leadership and governance choices.
At this critical moment, citizens are increasingly calling for accountability from those entrusted with protecting lives and property. Leadership, by its very nature, carries responsibility, and when insecurity worsens, leaders must answer to the people they govern.
There is also growing concern about the future. Many Nigerians believe that a continuation of the current political leadership beyond 2027 could further aggravate the country’s security challenges. As such, calls for political change are gaining momentum, with citizens urged to use democratic means to demand better governance, transparency, and national security reforms.
Nigeria’s path to stability and restored confidence lies in honest leadership, accountability, and the courage to confront uncomfortable truths. Only then can the nation begin to reclaim its sense of safety and its standing in the eyes of the world.
By Viewers Corner News