Islamic scholar Ahmad Abubakar Mahmud Gumi has endorsed the establishment of the Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS) to flush out bandits from forested areas across the country. Speaking during his Ramadan Tafsir in Kaduna on Tuesday, he urged the proposed agency to deploy decisive military force to tackle criminal elements while cautioning against aerial bombardments that could harm civilians.
Gumi cited the tragic Tudun Biri incident in Igabi, where more than 100 residents were reportedly killed in a mistaken airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force, warning that bombings in forest operations carry high risks for nearby communities.
The cleric noted that bandits had become increasingly brutal, allegedly influenced by external forces aiming to destabilize the nation. He stressed that without decisive intervention, these groups could evolve into full-fledged terrorist organisations.
He called on authorities to adopt strategies that would effectively remove criminal elements from forest enclaves while prioritising civilian protection. Gumi’s remarks underscore the need for coordinated, measured action against insecurity in rural and forested regions.
The scholar’s endorsement comes amid growing national discussions on enhancing security frameworks and deploying specialised agencies to tackle Nigeria’s persistent banditry crisis.
