Controversial Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has urged Nigerians to embrace peaceful coexistence with Fulani herdsmen, insisting that they remain an integral part of the country.
Gumi made the remarks in a video shared on social media platform X, where he dismissed calls for the displacement of Fulani herders, stressing that they are Nigerians and cannot be driven away.
According to the cleric, portraying herdsmen as enemies could have grave consequences for national unity and security. He argued that neighbours, no matter their differences, should not be treated as adversaries, warning that doing so could expose the country to greater risks.
Gumi noted that internal hostility could be exploited by external forces, adding that neighbours often possess intimate knowledge of one another’s movements and vulnerabilities.
“They are going nowhere. They are part of us, and we are part of them. We must learn to live together and should never become enemies,” he said.
“Your real enemy will use your neighbour against you. Nobody knows your secrets more than your neighbour — when you go out and when you return. That is why we must never turn herdsmen into enemies.”
His comments come amid ongoing national debates over security challenges linked to herder-farmer clashes across parts of the country.