Banditry not sponsored by any politician, it is a natural reaction of people neglected for centuries without education – Sheikh Gumi

Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has rejected claims that politicians are responsible for the growing insecurity in northern Nigeria.

In recent months, the North-West has witnessed a surge in banditry and violence, resulting in numerous deaths, including that of the monarch of Gobir in Sokoto State. This unrest has led to speculations that politicians may be funding the violence for personal gain.

In 2021, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, alleged that some politicians were behind the banditry affecting various parts of the country.

However, in an interview with Punch, Sheikh Gumi refuted these allegations, stating that there is no evidence to support the idea that politicians are driving the unrest in the North.

“This is an unintelligent allegation. No politician is sponsoring these people. We are all victims. The opposition is not even behind this. This is a natural reaction of people neglected for centuries without education, he said

“Now they are exposed to the world and they want education. These people are exposed to the Internet and they see how much they are deprived. They want to fight back. This act is not by anybody.”