Legal counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Barr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor (KSC), has slammed controversial Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, following his advise to the Nigerian government to consider arming Igbo youths to defend themselves against the IPOB.
He described the proposal as being malicious, misguided, divisive and inflammatory.
Sheikh Gumi, in a recent interview with journalists in Kaduna, proposed that to counter the menace of insecurity in the South-East, the government should consider training and arming of youths in the region to combat the activities of IPOB.
The cleric noted that the most effective way to address terrorism and crises in the South-East is by deploying young individuals familiar with the terrain against insurgents and the use of full military force in regions with high civilian populations often leads to the loss of innocent lives, making it an ineffective strategy.
Citing the examples of ex-militant leaders like Asari Dokubo and Tompolo in the Niger Delta, Gumi said they were transformed from warlords into protectors of government investments in the creeks and enforcers against unrepentant criminals.
“You see, it is very easy. Just like I mentioned earlier, Tompolo and Mujahid Asari Dokubo are in the creeks, and if anybody tries to misbehave, who deals with them? They handle it easier than the military because when the military comes, they can’t differentiate between the grain and the chaff—they deal with everyone indiscriminately.
“But these individuals know exactly who is misbehaving and take care of them. Likewise, for IPOB, if you can get very good Igbo youths, train and arm them, they can handle the situation effectively,” the Islamic cleric said.
However, Ejiofor while responding to the suggestion, said Gumi’s outburst was driven by questionable obsession with monetary benefits, which he described as playing a significant role in exacerbating terrorism and banditry across Northern Nigeria.
The IPOB lawyer, in a statement he shared on his X handle on Tuesday, said Gumi’s past actions have contributed to the country’s dire state of insecurity.
Ejiofor stated that Gumi has no doubt gained notoriety for his defence of individuals and groups waging violent campaigns against Nigeria, adding that despite his open affiliations with such elements, he enjoys some level of immunity.
According to Ejiofor, Gumi has a hidden agenda with his ultimate goal appearing to be the destabilisation of Igbo land, creating a scenario where brothers turn against brothers, resulting in needless bloodshed and destruction.
“My attention has been drawn to an absurd statement by the prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, widely reported across online and print media. In his latest opinion, Sheikh Gumi proposed that the government should arm Igbo youths to counter IPOB, a suggestion that is both divisive and inflammatory,” he wrote.
“I categorically state as follows:
1. Sheikh Gumi’s Complicity in Northern Insecurity:
“It is well-known that Sheikh Gumi, driven by a questionable obsession with monetary benefits, has played a significant role in exacerbating terrorism and banditry across Northern Nigeria. His actions have contributed to the region’s dire state of insecurity.
2. Defender of Enemies of the State:
“Sheikh Gumi has gained notoriety for his defence of individuals and groups waging violent campaigns against Nigeria. Despite his open affiliations with such elements, he remains untouched, enjoying a troubling level of immunity.
3. Gumi’s Accomplices Under Investigation:
“One of Gumi’s emissaries is currently in the custody of the State Security Service for his role in promoting banditry. It is difficult to ignore the likelihood that Sheikh Gumi covertly enables such activities while acting as their chief negotiator.
4. Misguided Advice on Arming the South East:
“Sheikh Gumi’s inability to address the rampant terrorism and insecurity in his region makes his advice to arm youths in the South East, not only hypocritical but also dangerous.
5. Manipulating the Narrative Against the South East:
“It is clear that the criminal activities in the South East are not the work of IPOB but rather, opportunistic criminals masquerading as freedom fighters. Sheikh Gumi’s suggestion would only serve to pit Igbo people against one another, plunging the region into chaos.
6. IPOB’s Stance Against Criminals:
“IPOB has repeatedly distanced itself from these criminal elements and, in its recent press release, even offered to collaborate with local security outfits to eliminate such threats.
7. Gumi’s Hidden Agenda:
“The ultimate goal of Sheikh Gumi appears to be the destabilization of Igbo land, creating a scenario where brothers turn against brothers, resulting in needless bloodshed and destruction.
8. Unity Against External Intruders:
“Despite the political conspiracies against the Igbos, the most marginalized ethnic group in Nigeria, we have resolved to take our destiny into our own hands. Together, we will fight the real intruders who wreak havoc in our land.
9. A Message to Sheikh Gumi:
“Let it be clear: Sheikh Gumi’s divisive mission is dead on arrival. The Igbo people have learned their lessons through hard and painful experiences and will not fall for such manipulative tactics,” he concluded.