By KatsinaTimes, January 14, 2026
Renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Muhamud Gumi, has thrown his weight behind the Katsina State Government’s ongoing peace initiatives, describing them as a positive and timely step toward restoring stability after more than a decade of insecurity in the state.
In an exclusive interview with KatsinaTimes on Wednesday, Dr. Gumi said Katsina and the wider North-West region had suffered prolonged instability that displaced thousands of residents, disrupted farming activities, and deepened economic hardship.
“For over 10 years, people have been forced out of their villages and have not been able to farm, particularly at a time of severe economic pressure,” he said. “Any genuine effort by the Katsina State Government to restore peace, stability, and progress deserves support.”
The cleric praised the state government for what he described as bold leadership in encouraging dialogue between warring factions, stressing that negotiation remains a critical tool for ending violence and restoring normalcy to affected communities.
Dr. Gumi, however, warned that peace efforts often face stiff opposition from individuals and groups who profit from insecurity. According to him, banditry and armed violence have grown into a lucrative enterprise sustained by arms trafficking, informants, and misuse of public resources.
“Many people benefit from insecurity. It has developed into an industry,” he said. “Some even milk the state in the name of security. The government itself knows how much money is spent under that guise.”
He further noted that armed groups, including bandits, are deeply embedded within society and rely on external sources for weapons and ammunition, making the crisis more complex.
“They buy their ammunition from outside. There is a supply chain, informants, and collaborators. That is why experts now describe insecurity as an industry,” he explained.
Dr. Gumi concluded that the most effective way for the Katsina State Government to dismantle this cycle is through sustained peace-building efforts. “Once peace is brokered, stability will return, and development will naturally follow,” he added.
The remarks come as the Katsina State Government intensifies efforts to combine security operations with dialogue aimed at ending years of banditry and restoring confidence in rural communities.
