Nigerian govt’s kinetic approach making bandits more vicious – Sheikh Gumi

The cleric also said there is need for a change of approach
by the Nigerian government to issues of banditry and terrorism.

“I believe no ransom should be paid but engage these people,
give them hope and not only in this children’s case. I’m so sad that the
leaders are just realizing that it is turning into a war. It has been a war and
not mere criminality. If we can see Israel and Hamas sitting down to exchange
prisoners, I don’t see why we cannot negotiate.

“I support that the government should not pay any ransom but
what I say is that the government must dialogue and from my knowledge about
their psychology, that amount they are pitching is because they want to have a
bigger bargaining power, otherwise, I don’t think in their wildest dreams, they
would think the government would give them that money.

“What is happening now is that we are seeing that these
bandits are getting more and more vicious. Before now, they didn’t do what they
do now. We can only attribute that to the kinetic approach which is over
emphasized. When we hear the politicians talk, nothing is done about it to
overcome these people. For example, now we are fighting bandits,” he said.