Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
ABUJA / MAIDUGURI, Nigeria — Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), has issued a forceful rebuke of controversial Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi and others who have been perceived to offer sympathy, justification or moral support for armed bandits and terrorist groups operating across Nigeria. The minister’s comments, delivered during an official visit to Maiduguri in Borno State on Wednesday, underscore the government’s growing intolerance of narratives that appear to blur the line between criminals and civilians while national security agencies intensify efforts to quell insecurity.
Speaking publicly, General Musa stressed that framing banditry, terrorism and other violent criminality as expressions of regional, religious or ethnic brotherhood is dangerous and harmful to Nigeria’s ongoing counter-insurgency efforts. “A friend of a thief is a thief,” the defence minister declared, signalling that moral or rhetorical backing for criminals — no matter the guise — only emboldens and legitimises violent networks that have wreaked havoc in communities nationwide.
The stern warning directly responded to past remarks attributed to Sheikh Gumi, in which he referred to armed groups hiding in forest enclaves as “our brothers,” and promoted the idea that society could not function without such elements. Government officials and security experts have criticised such narratives, arguing they risk normalising lawlessness and undermining the broad counter-terrorism strategy that combines military pressure, intelligence-led operations and community protection.
Musa, a retired army general who assumed the defence portfolio under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, underscored that terrorism and banditry should never be framed as legitimate sociopolitical phenomena or preserved through dangerous moral cover. He said that while empathy for human suffering has its place, justifying or excusing criminal conduct — even in words or through influential platforms — weakens the rule of law and endangers national security.
“Portraying bandits as brothers does not reduce violence; it legitimises criminal behaviour and undermines ongoing national security efforts,” Musa emphasised. He warned that such narratives can give encouragement to armed groups that have displaced thousands, destroyed livelihoods, fuelled kidnappings for ransom and claimed countless innocent lives. “Anyone who excuses, defends, or shields criminals — whether through words, influence or silence — shares responsibility for the consequences,” he added.
The defence minister made clear that neutrality is not an option in matters of national security. “Nigeria cannot defeat banditry and terrorism while dangerous rhetoric blurs the line between victims and perpetrators,” Musa said, urging Nigerians at all levels to support the government’s security posture and reject narratives that could be interpreted as undermining cohesion and collective resolve. “The choice is clear: stand with the law and the nation, or be counted among those enabling crime.”
The broader context of Musa’s remarks reflects a sustained debate in Nigeria over how best to address the complex insecurity landscape — from insurgency in the Northeast, kidnappings and banditry in the Northwest, to militia and criminal networks in central and southern regions. While some civil society figures and religious leaders have advocated for negotiation or softer approaches to ending violence, federal authorities have maintained that a combination of military pressure, intelligence coordination and community resilience measures remains central to security policy.
In related remarks, General Musa reaffirmed that the Federal Government does not pay ransom to kidnappers or bandits. He explained that when victims are rescued, it is usually because of relentless security operations and tactical pressure on criminal hideouts rather than negotiated payments, a position that has been reiterated repeatedly by government officials amid public speculation about ransom practices.
The minister’s condemnation has drawn responses from prominent political figures. Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai commended Musa’s stance, praising the defence minister for rejecting ransom payments and emphasising sustained military pressure and intelligence-driven operations as the correct approach for rescuing abducted victims. El-Rufai said the position represented “a breath of fresh air” in Nigeria’s security policy discourse and urged broader public support for government strategy.
Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, a controversial Islamic cleric, has long been a polarising figure in Nigeria’s security discourse. Gumi has cultivated a reputation as an interlocutor with armed groups, often engaging in dialogue or advocating for non-kinetic approaches such as negotiation and community engagement. In November 2025, Gumi reiterated his belief that dialogue and negotiation could help reduce violence if properly structured, arguing that some fighters might be willing to lay down their arms if given a chance. Critics, however, argue that such positions risk sympathy for criminals and undermine the rule of law.
Civil society and human rights advocates have also weighed in on the debate. Some have urged the government to uphold the rule of law by investigating and prosecuting individuals whose comments or actions are perceived as supportive of criminal elements. In late 2025, a prominent lawyer called for the prosecution of Sheikh Gumi over alleged defence of terrorist activities — a reflection of the tensions between free speech, moral leadership and national security imperatives.
Analysts say the defence minister’s strong public admonition sends a clear message that the federal government is determined to close ranks against narratives that could weaken national resolve against insecurity. They note that framing banditry and terrorism in moral or communal terms — rather than as criminality demanding enforcement of the law — has long been a contested issue in Nigeria’s public sphere.
As security agencies continue operations across volatile regions, the government’s displeasure with perceived sympathy for armed groups highlights the delicate balance between protecting civil liberties and safeguarding national stability. For many Nigerians affected by the toll of violence — including displaced families, victims of abductions and communities living under constant threat — the minister’s remarks reaffirm the official stance that support for criminals of any kind will not be tolerated and that unity behind lawful action is essential.
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