Veteran Nigerian entertainer and social activist, Charly Boy, has criticised Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi for suggesting that negotiating with bandits — rather than confronting them — is the solution to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
In a video shared by Charly Boy, Gumi argued that attacking bandits, including by foreign powers like the United States, would only worsen the situation. He further described military action as a “mistake,” insisting that bandits should be listened to, negotiated with, and included in the national budget.
Reacting in a lengthy post, Charly Boy, whose real name is Charles Oputa, condemned Gumi’s remarks, questioning his logic and accusing him of defending criminals responsible for widespread violence across the country.
“Sheikh Gumi, come make I ask you something — you dey alright? Do you need medical attention?” he wrote. “You say attacking bandits will be a mistake? Are you mad? Are you normal? Or na bandit spirit don colonize your sense?”
He faulted Gumi for consistently advocating dialogue for armed groups while ignoring the pain of victims.
“People dey cry, families dey bury children, farmers no fit go farm, villages dey empty like ghost town — and you stand for public dey defend criminals wey be your congregation?” he said.
Charly Boy accused Gumi of acting as a spokesperson and “spiritual adviser” for bandits, noting that he had never proposed amnesty or support for the families whose lives had been destroyed.
“Any leader, cleric or elder wey dey use ‘dialogue’ excuse to pamper killers is part of the problem,” he added.
He insisted that Gumi would not call for negotiation if his own family were victims of bandit attacks, arguing that the cleric’s public statements embolden criminal groups and undermine national security.
Charly Boy urged Gumi to “stop defending evil” and use his influence responsibly, saying Nigeria cannot continue accommodating narratives that make the country a “playground for criminals.”
