Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has stated that Fulani herdsmen are an integral part of Nigeria and cannot be forced out of the country, urging Nigerians to learn how to live peacefully with them.
Gumi made the remarks in a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), where he emphasised that Fulani herdsmen belong to Nigeria just like every other group and should not be treated as enemies.
According to the cleric, attempting to drive herdsmen away or portraying them as adversaries could have serious consequences for national unity and security. He warned that such hostility could ultimately harm the country.
The retired army officer further argued that Nigeria’s real enemies could exploit tensions between communities, noting that herdsmen, as neighbours, possess intimate knowledge of local environments.
“They are going nowhere. They are part of us, and we are part of them. We must learn to live together and never become enemies,” Gumi said.
He added that neighbours often know one another’s movements and vulnerabilities, cautioning that internal divisions could be weaponised by external forces.
“Your real enemy will use your neighbour against you. Nobody knows your secrets more than your neighbour. So we should never allow herdsmen to be our enemies,” he stated.
Sheikh Gumi’s comments come amid ongoing national debates over security challenges, farmer-herder conflicts, and calls for lasting solutions to communal violence across Nigeria.
