Politics

Don’t Break the Truce — Gumi Urges Nigerian Army, Others to Avoid Provocations

Published by Akinwale Fakinlede on September 16th, 2025.

Don’t Break the Truce — Gumi Urges Nigerian Army, Others to Avoid Provocations

Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has cautioned the Nigerian Army and other security agencies against actions that could jeopardize the fragile peace deals reached with armed groups in parts of the country.

Speaking during a recent engagement with community leaders in Kaduna, Gumi stressed that sustaining peace is often more difficult than initiating it. He warned that any form of provocation from security operatives could reignite hostilities and undo the progress already recorded in dialogue efforts.

According to him, peace agreements with non-state armed actors require patience, trust, and a high level of discipline from all parties involved. He argued that military offensives or heavy-handed tactics during such delicate moments could trigger renewed violence, making it harder to achieve lasting stability.

“Truce is not victory, it is a process,” Gumi said. “When the state reaches an understanding with those holding arms, what follows must be careful management. Soldiers, police, and all security agents must exercise restraint, because even a small provocation can destroy the trust that has been built.”

The cleric maintained that while the responsibility of defending Nigeria lies with the armed forces, achieving peace also requires diplomacy and dialogue. He emphasized that communities suffering from banditry and insurgency are desperate for safety and deserve a sustained atmosphere of calm, not a return to fear and bloodshed.

Gumi also urged the government to invest more in addressing the root causes of insecurity, including poverty, poor governance, and lack of opportunities in rural areas. He insisted that without tackling these underlying issues, any peace deal would remain fragile.

His remarks come at a time when Nigeria is grappling with complex security challenges, from insurgency in the Northeast to banditry in the Northwest and farmer-herder clashes in other regions. Analysts note that while dialogue remains controversial, it has been used in many parts of the world as a tool to reduce violence and create space for long-term solutions.

The cleric’s caution serves as a reminder that peacebuilding is not only about silencing guns but also about maintaining trust, encouraging reconciliation, and ensuring that no side takes actions that could rek

indle conflict.