Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has criticised the Federal Government’s decision to designate bandits as terrorists, saying the move has effectively ended opportunities for dialogue with the armed groups.

Speaking in a viral video, Gumi said he and other clerics could no longer engage bandits in negotiations following the government’s classification of them as terrorists.

According to him, some of the groups had previously shown a willingness to negotiate, warning that shutting the door to dialogue could worsen the security situation.

“We don’t want to push them into terror beyond what they are doing now because it can get worse,” he said.

“They have shown us their willingness to negotiate, so people that are ready to negotiate, why are you rushing to declare them terrorists?”

Gumi also claimed that bandits in Zamfara State had, in the past, handed over Boko Haram members to security authorities, but said the current designation has changed the situation.

“The only door that is remaining is for us clergy to go in and negotiate with them; that is closed permanently,” he added.

The cleric has previously attracted public attention for visiting bandits in their hideouts as part of efforts to encourage dialogue and secure the release of kidnapped victims.