Islamic scholar, Dr. Ahmad Abubakar Mahmud Gumi, has said most herdsmen across Nigeria need education and enlightenment rather than military bombardment, arguing that ignorance is at the root of many challenges linked to them. He made the remarks in a Facebook post criticising the use of heavy force against herdsmen.
Gumi described military action as counter-productive and dangerous, noting that many herdsmen lack basic education and a clear understanding of Islam. “Most herdsmen need deliverance from ignorance and from themselves, not bombardment. Many of them do not even understand the basic creed of Islam, nor the serious danger of unexploded bombs,” he stated.
He said this belief informed his decision to establish a school for herdsmen, aimed at reducing ignorance and promoting peaceful coexistence. Lamenting the high cost of modern warfare, Gumi said, “Instead of dropping a $2 million bomb, that money can be used to build schools and amenities for them,” urging a more humane, holistic approach to insecurity.