₦airaland Forum

Most Nigerians were taken aback when the controversial Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Abubakar Gumi told the world in a television programme recently that the Federal Government of Nigeria knows all the terrorists by their name and location.

To many, Gumi has just stated the obvious as many had, over the years, resolved that the Federal Government has a hand in the lingering insecurity in the country.

Those who had tenaciously held on to this view, refuse to accept that the Federal Government is doing anything to end the insecurity which has claimed thousands of lives in Nigeria.

They would always refer to the statement of the late head of state, Gen Sani Abacha that if insecurity persists for more than 48 hours at any given point in time, then the government should be held responsible.

Many Nigerians have latched on to late Abacha’s famous statement to hold the Federal Government responsible for the insecurity that has lasted for over a decade.

However, there are others who still believe that the Federal Government has been doing everything within its powers to bring to an end the insecurity in the land.

Nonetheless, many Nigerians have reacted with fury to Gumi’s claims that the Federal Government has detailed information on the identities and hideouts of terrorists operating across the country but failed to act.

Speaking in a recent DRTV interview, Gumi addressed the rumours that he negotiates with bandits on his own, insisting that he had always gone along with officers of the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services, the military, and other security agents. He said his interactions with armed groups were coordinated closely with security agencies.

“The government knows every terrorist by name and by location. I don’t go alone to negotiate, I go with the police, military and other security agencies,” he said.

He revealed that some of his efforts took him deep into forests and remote communities, sometimes even accompanied by local women. “I would go to the Emirs. In fact, when we went to one forest, I even went with women into the bush,” he added.

Gumi has long advocated dialogue as a tool to reduce violence, often sparking controversy for interacting with groups considered enemies of the state. He argued that these efforts complement security operations rather than replace them, highlighting the importance of negotiation alongside law enforcement.

Observers note that Gumi’s approach underscores the complexity of addressing Nigeria’s insecurity, where military action alone may not suffice.

Despite these efforts, insecurity remains high in several northern states, prompting debate on whether dialogue initiatives have tangible results. Critics argue that without accountability and transparency, negotiations could inadvertently legitimise armed groups.

Gumi’s statements have reignited national conversations on counterterrorism strategies, with many Nigerians discussing the balance between dialogue, intelligence gathering and military action.

His insights suggest that tackling terrorism in Nigeria may require innovative approaches that merge community engagement with formal security measures.

However, his latest outburst and allegations have elicited criticisms from Nigerians, including those on social media, with many wondering why the government would possess such intelligence without acting on it.

Activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, alleged collusion between the government and criminals.

“Gumi is not lying. All these terrorists are in beds with people in the government. Whenever there is mass kidnapping, why do you think the government is able to hear from the terrorists? It is because they have their phone numbers,” he said.

Veteran musician, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, echoed similar sentiments, saying, “This is what leadership in Nigeria is up to, in bed with those who want to kill us.”

A social media user, who simply identified himself as Shuaibu, expressed surprise at the lack of official response.

“Gumi said boldly on national TV that Tinubu’s FG knows the names and locations of every terrorist in Nigeria. Yet, nothing is being done about this crucial issue. News outlets are not even giving it the attention it deserves,” he said.

Another user, Christiana Daniel, said: “Sheik Gumi is saying that the government knows these terrorists by name and location and has chosen to look the other way. Our government is complicit.”

Also, Capt. Arinze Odira, expressed shock at the revelation, saying, “Is this real or AI? I don’t want to believe that it is real. Just for me to be able to sleep well tonight, even if it is real, I will try to convince myself that he is lying.”

However, while a flurry of reactions are pouring in on social media, analysts are also critically dissecting the rationale behind this open confession at a time when the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump is busy fighting terrorism in Iran.

This is also coming months after Trump dealt a deadly blow on terrorism in Venezuela, leading to the arrest of the country’s president and eventual transfer to the USA where he is cooling off behind bars for terrorism-related crimes.

Looking at Gumi’s open confession at this material time, a foreign affairs analyst, Dr James Abaranje said it may have a grave negative implication for the current APC government.

He said: “This is not good for the current government. Remember America struck in Sokoto on December 25, 2025 and nobody knows what their next step will be.

“But, with this kind of revelation, although America already has their report about the security situation in Nigeria, Gumi’s revelation could expedite America’s action in Nigeria.

“It is very clear to the world that Trump would go after terrorists anywhere they are hiding in the world to destroy them.

“So, if Gumi is now saying that the Nigerian government knows the location and names of the terrorists in Nigeria but has refused to confront them, giving them the leverage to ride roughshod over Nigerians and kill thousands of Christians, don’t you think Trump would come after them with guns smoking as he had earlier promised?”

“Commonsense would tell the Federal Government that with Gumi’s revelation, it is only a matter of time before Trump storms Nigeria with guns blazing.”

Flexyup:
Believing this one is at ur own risk. His plan B of putting this country in chaos...that is what he knows how to do.

rofanx13:
Gumi is the grand patron of bandits in Nigeria and we are very comfortable with that.

ARISHEM:
I don't blame Gumi. If we have been sensitive to events and things in the North since 1999 we would not be having this problem.
When I was in the Northeast in 2009 some indigenes and some Christians over there raised the alarm and anonymously reported that some sects are experimenting sadistic things and their movements are becoming terroristic but government turned a blind eye saying that they were the ones looking for trouble. That time non indigenes were telling us to be on alert that they don't trust some sects there. But see where the country is now.
This monster was been bred since infant. Now that it's fully grown we are doing everything to kill it

BarrElChapo:
They won’t invite him talk less of arrest him but if it’s one rando DSS/EFCC/ICPC/GBTV will swoop them and take them into some mysterious location.

insidelife22:
government is actually the more you look
The more you see
Is just that Nigerians are too tribalistic to hold them accountable.

Flexyup:
Believing this one is at ur own risk. His plan B of putting this country in chaos...that is what he knows how to do.

donleo92:
I don talk am before, You see all this things called boko haram and bandits Na family matter

If no be family matter, all the Northern elites for don they talk something about am, imagine sharia law, see as the northern immam carry am for head

Guestmale:
Let even accept that government knows the locations of bandits and terrorists,was it not the same Gunmi who has always been against government for attacking them and always pleading with government not to attack them that they are their people, but instead government should dialogue with them.

Pacesetter123:
And government willingly accepted his plea and refused to attack them at the detriment of the lives of her citizens?
What does that tells you?

Flexyup:
Believing this one is at ur own risk. His plan B of putting this country in chaos...that is what he knows how to do.

Guestmale:
Our military has been killing them

https://www.nairaland.com/8637818/63-bodies-boko-haram-iswap

insidelife22:
This government is actually the more you look
The more you see
Is just that Nigerians are too tribalistic to hold them accountable.

Guestmale:
Let even accept that government knows the locations of bandits and terrorists,was it not the same Gunmi who has always been against government for attacking them and always pleading with government not to attack them that they are their people, but instead government should dialogue with them.

OredoPikin2:
We were never like this until tinubu became President.
Yes we are tribalistic but no politician has ever used it to his advantage until Tinubu.

Tinubu know he is not competent, he doesn't have a good past to fall to, there is no record to show. So the only thing was to use tribalism.

We have had Obasenjo a yoruba man. Yorubas didn't defend his failures.

We had yaradua and Buhari as northerners. Northerners didn't defend their failures.

We have had a SS man as President, the South South didn't defend GEJ failures.

This is the first time someone is actually using tribalism to govern and I smell danger ahead
Every tribe will now defend their devil going forward and it will lead to one thing
We will get to a point were we will no longer cant stay anymore and we will go our separate ways either by understanding or bloodshed through war

Gotocourt:
When you say the Federal Government, Does that mean starting from the Administration of Yar'adua

gentlesmithugo:
shut up,supporters of evil.if to say na Goodluck be president now.u will believe him.if he is lying why haven't the dss picked him up.always supporting apc shamelessly