Insecurity: Gov Matawalle invites Sheikh Gumi to Zamfara

As Sheikh Gumi visits ongoing Construction of Ruga Settlement at Maradun

…This is not time for blame game or criticism- Says Gumi
…To visit key hotspots of Kidnapping in Zamfara within 5 days
…We are proud of our son, we support Gumi’s mission- Emir of Maradun 

By Mike Odeh James and Maryam Musa 

As more and more Nigerians and concerned citizens across political and religious divide continued to identify and support the initiative of Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Gumi in reaching out to several Fulani herdsmen particularly those that decided to carry arms and engage in acts of banditry and kidnappings and to ensure cessation of all hostilities and to find amicable settlement and understanding with government, Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle who has never relented in seeking peaceful means of ending incessant attacks and kidnappings in his state since assuming office mostly by Fulani militias has sent a special invitation to Sheikh Gumi to come to his state and engage with the bandits as he has been doing recently with considerable amount of success.

It would be recalled that despite several efforts and commitment by the Zamfara state government, killings and kidnappings mostly by armed Fulani herdsmen still persist while farming activities still remains at its lowest ebb due to the crisis. Sheikh Gumi is a citizen of Zamfara State from Gumi Local Government. 

Sheikh Gumi and his large entourage arrived Gusau the Zamfara state capital on Monday 1st February, 2021. He was received by large delegation of government functionaries including former Minister and one time Ambassador, Bashir Yuguda, the state commissioner of Police, some cabinet members and the members of Ulama. Even though he arrived Gusau late, Sheikh Gumi took little time to prepare and proceeded straight with his entourage in company of government officials to tour facilities at the ongoing construction of modern Ruga settlement in a bush of about 2500 hectares in Maradun. Though the project is ongoing, the facilities and speed of work at the special Fulani settlements speaks volumes of Governor Matawalle’s commitment to improve the living condition of the Fulanis and to pacify the aggrieved ones amongst them to repent and give peace a chance. 

DESERT HERALD and several other media organisations were part of those that embarked on the long journey to the Maradun bush where sufficient provision including a clinic, school, accommodation, gracing farm lands, water, mosque, an archives centre, road network as well as veterinary clinic are being provided. After taking time to inspect the large facilities which took them hours to complete, Sheikh Gumi commended the Zamfara state government for recognizing the necessity of improving the lives of the Fulanis as one of the few solutions of ending the crisis of insurgency associated with kidnappings and killings. He particularly commended Governor Matawalle for adopting peaceful means in solving the crisis. 

Gumi said considering what the nation is going through as a result of unprecedented crime and insecurity,  it is time for collective action. He said though protecting lives, dignity and properties of the people is the responsibility of government and Allah will hold them accountable but reiterated that apportioning blames or criticising the federal or state government on an issue of collective failure and at a time of emergency will never be the solution and called for collective efforts. Gumi urged the federal and state governments particularly those that are having challenges of kidnappings and armed banditry to copy the Zamfara example of initiating dialogue and decent settlement for the Fulanis. 

Sheikh Gumi told the large gathering at Maradun Ruga settlement that there is no magic in what he is doing or in reaching out to the armed Fulanis. He also told the nation that despite the confidence the Fulanis have in his mission and the privileged of giving him a listening ears, his success depends largely on getting the needed corporation from particularly the federal government. He said there is so much hope in the peaceful approach of Governor Matawalle and said the use of arms as we have seen over the years will never be the solution. He said without educating the Fulanis particularly about their religion nothing will be achieved. 

Gumi said most of the Fulani herdsmen did not know anything about their religion and no effort was made in the last 50 years to educate them hence becoming vulnerable to committing any crime. He said his priority in Zamfara and any other place he will visit is to spread the message of Islam to the Fulanis since virtually all of them were born as Muslims and to ensure that Islamic teachers are sponsored to be teaching them about the basics of their religion. 

Sheikh Gumi lamented that insecurity has affected every home in Nigeria and warned disgruntled elements to desist from politicising his peace efforts. He called on security agencies to collaborate and give him the benefit of doubt as he continues the carrot approach. 

DESERT HERALD reports that Governor Matawalle will provide a modern Ruga settlement in each of the 3 senatorial districts in the state in an effort to permanently settle the Fulanis and to end their many years of neglect and frustrations. 

The former NHIS boss, Prof Usman Yusuf is part of many dignitaries that followed Sheikh Gumi to the historic visit in Zamfara. Prof Yusuf at the Ruga settlement at Maradun has also called on the Fulanis to encourage the efforts of Governor Matawalle by giving peace a chance. He told them that Sheikh Gumi meant well for them and will never let them down and urged them to engage the criminals amongst them that are not ready for peace.

Part of those that are in Gusau with Sheikh Gumi includes DESERT HERALD Publisher and Director of Communications of Sheikh Abubakar Mahmud Gumi Initiative for the Propagation of Sunnah, Mallam  Tukur Mamu (Dan-Iyan Fika), the Chief Imam of Sultan Bello Mosque, Sheikh Muhammad Suleiman Adam, Hon Rufai Chanchangi, representative of Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, Sheikh Sanusi Khutama and several others. 

From the Ruga settlement at the Maradun bush, Sheikh Gumi proceeded to the palace of the Emir of Maradun where he and his entourage were warmly received and entertained with a traditional dinner.

As part of his 5 days visit, Gumi is expected to travel to another strategic bush at Shinkafi Local Government on Tuesday to spread his mission and to engage with some Fulani militias.