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Gumi’s Security Bombshell Forces New National Debate on Terrorism
Most Nigerians were taken aback when the controversial Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Abubakar Gumi told the world in a television programme recently that the Federal Government of Nigeria knows all the terrorists by their name and location.
To many, Gumi has just stated the obvious as many had, over the years, resolved that the Federal Government has a hand in the lingering insecurity in the country.
Those who had tenaciously held on to this view, refuse to accept that the Federal Government is doing anything to end the insecurity which has claimed thousands of lives in Nigeria.
They would always refer to the statement of the late head of state, Gen Sani Abacha that if insecurity persists for more than 48 hours at any given point in time, then the government should be held responsible.
Many Nigerians have latched on to late Abacha’s famous statement to hold the Federal Government responsible for the insecurity that has lasted for over a decade.
However, there are others who still believe that the Federal Government has been doing everything within its powers to bring to an end the insecurity in the land.
Nonetheless, many Nigerians have reacted with fury to Gumi’s claims that the Federal Government has detailed information on the identities and hideouts of terrorists operating across the country but failed to act.
Speaking in a recent DRTV interview, Gumi addressed the rumours that he negotiates with bandits on his own, insisting that he had always gone along with officers of the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services, the military, and other security agents. He said his interactions with armed groups were coordinated closely with security agencies.
“The government knows every terrorist by name and by location. I don’t go alone to negotiate, I go with the police, military and other security agencies,” he said.
He revealed that some of his efforts took him deep into forests and remote communities, sometimes even accompanied by local women. “I would go to the Emirs. In fact, when we went to one forest, I even went with women into the bush,” he added.
Gumi has long advocated dialogue as a tool to reduce violence, often sparking controversy for interacting with groups considered enemies of the state. He argued that these efforts complement security operations rather than replace them, highlighting the importance of negotiation alongside law enforcement.
Observers note that Gumi’s approach underscores the complexity of addressing Nigeria’s insecurity, where military action alone may not suffice.
Despite these efforts, insecurity remains high in several northern states, prompting debate on whether dialogue initiatives have tangible results. Critics argue that without accountability and transparency, negotiations could inadvertently legitimise armed groups.
Gumi’s statements have reignited national conversations on counterterrorism strategies, with many Nigerians discussing the balance between dialogue, intelligence gathering and military action.
His insights suggest that tackling terrorism in Nigeria may require innovative approaches that merge community engagement with formal security measures.
However, his latest outburst and allegations have elicited criticisms from Nigerians, including those on social media, with many wondering why the government would possess such intelligence without acting on it.
Activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, alleged collusion between the government and criminals.
“Gumi is not lying. All these terrorists are in beds with people in the government. Whenever there is mass kidnapping, why do you think the government is able to hear from the terrorists? It is because they have their phone numbers,” he said.
Veteran musician, Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, echoed similar sentiments, saying, “This is what leadership in Nigeria is up to, in bed with those who want to kill us.”
A social media user, who simply identified himself as Shuaibu, expressed surprise at the lack of official response.
“Gumi said boldly on national TV that Tinubu’s FG knows the names and locations of every terrorist in Nigeria. Yet, nothing is being done about this crucial issue. News outlets are not even giving it the attention it deserves,” he said.
Another user, Christiana Daniel, said: “Sheik Gumi is saying that the government knows these terrorists by name and location and has chosen to look the other way. Our government is complicit.”
Also, Capt. Arinze Odira, expressed shock at the revelation, saying, “Is this real or AI? I don’t want to believe that it is real. Just for me to be able to sleep well tonight, even if it is real, I will try to convince myself that he is lying.”
However, while a flurry of reactions are pouring in on social media, analysts are also critically dissecting the rationale behind this open confession at a time when the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump is busy fighting terrorism in Iran.
This is also coming months after Trump dealt a deadly blow on terrorism in Venezuela, leading to the arrest of the country’s president and eventual transfer to the USA where he is cooling off behind bars for terrorism-related crimes.
Looking at Gumi’s open confession at this material time, a foreign affairs analyst, Dr James Abaranje said it may have a grave negative implication for the current APC government.
He said: “This is not good for the current government. Remember America struck in Sokoto on December 25, 2025 and nobody knows what their next step will be.
“But, with this kind of revelation, although America already has their report about the security situation in Nigeria, Gumi’s revelation could expedite America’s action in Nigeria.
“It is very clear to the world that Trump would go after terrorists anywhere they are hiding in the world to destroy them.
“So, if Gumi is now saying that the Nigerian government knows the location and names of the terrorists in Nigeria but has refused to confront them, giving them the leverage to ride roughshod over Nigerians and kill thousands of Christians, don’t you think Trump would come after them with guns smoking as he had earlier promised?”
“Commonsense would tell the Federal Government that with Gumi’s revelation, it is only a matter of time before Trump storms Nigeria with guns blazing.”
In commemoration of International Women’s Day 2026, Fidelity Bank Plc has announced a series of masterclasses and support initiatives designed to help women build practical, income generating skills, strengthen professional visibility, and accelerate career growth throughout March 2026.
The activities are being delivered under the bank’s women focused proposition, HerFidelity, and align with the “Give to Gain” theme guiding this year’s programme of engagements.
On March 18, 2026, HerFidelity hosted a “Give to Gain” masterclass focused on communication and presentation. The session offered practical guidance on audience engagement, event moderation, confidence-building, and personal branding, with a strong focus on women looking to improve their public speaking and professional presence.
A second event, the Gele Masterclass scheduled for March 30, 2026, will provide hands-on training in gele tying. HerFidelity is positioning the session as a celebration of cultural expression and a marketable skill women can turn into a source of income.
In addition to the masterclasses, the bank will provide professional headshot sessions to help participants update their personal and professional profiles.
“At Fidelity Bank, we believe that empowering women economically creates an impact that extends beyond the individual. It strengthens families, grows businesses, and uplifts communities. That is why we have designed an elaborate plan to upskill women throughout this month. We want women to leave these sessions with practical tools they can apply immediately, whether that is speaking confidently in public, building a stronger personal brand, or learning a skill that can generate income,” said Ugochi Osinigwe, Divisional Head, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises Banking, Fidelity Bank Plc.
Earlier this month, the bank reaffirmed its commitment to women’s economic empowerment with the signing of strategic MoUs with partner organisations at the launch of its “Give Her Power” initiative on March 5, 2026. The collaborations, anchored on the bank’s HerFidelity Apprenticeship Programme, are designed to expand access to vocational training, business support, and sustainable enterprise opportunities for women across multiple sectors.
As part of the initiative, Fidelity Bank is distributing 1,000 sewing and grinding machines to empower women-led microbusinesses across Nigeria.
Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 10 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has expressed uncertainty about securing the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket for the 2027 elections.
In a video message to his followers, Obi said that getting the presidential ticket of the ADC is not certain.
He said: “Someone asked me how I know for sure that the ADC will give me the presidential ticket. I cannot be certain. What matters is that we are committed to a cause.
“I keep wondering how we ended up in this situation and what might happen if we decide to stop working on this project.”
Obi also said he is still committed to his goals, and he hasn’t let any reported threats stop him.
The former Labour Party presidential candidate praised his supporters for their resilience, recognizing the difficulties of working within opposition politics in Nigeria.
Obi thanked everyone who stayed loyal even though they didn’t get much benefit right away.
“I thank you for your sacrifice. It’s not easy to be in the opposition in Nigeria, and I’m thankful to those who keep supporting even when there’s no clear reward,” he said.
He, however, expressed uncertainty about the future, especially concerning political alliances and commitments.
“How can we be certain that the people we’re working with right now won’t leave us behind tomorrow? I wish we could be sure, but we can’t,” he said.
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has reiterated that all Corps members are covered by a comprehensive insurance package throughout their service year.
Nafiu stated this on Wednesday in Abuja during a visit by the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Ndace, noting that the welfare package includes both life insurance and medical care.
He explained that the Federal Government has put in place measures to ensure corps members enjoy a safe and memorable service experience, adding that the scheme also intervenes in cases not covered by health insurance.
The NYSC boss cited past interventions, including the payment of ₦28 million to save the life of a pregnant corps member and her unborn child after a spinal cord injury from a road accident.
He added that ₦33 million for prosthetic arms was provided for another corps member involved in a road crash while travelling to his place of primary assignment.
“Since 2004, every Corps Member has been covered by comprehensive insurance, including health and life insurance. The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) caters for Corps Members whenever they fall ill,” he said.
“From the moment call-up letters are issued—before they even begin their journey from their parents’ homes—they are already covered by insurance,” he added.
Nafiu cautioned against the spread of unverified reports about the scheme, urging journalists to always confirm facts with the NYSC before publication.
He further explained that the scheme’s posting policy is designed to meet national needs, ensuring all states benefit from corps members’ contributions, particularly in healthcare and education.
According to him, corps members’ participation in national assignments such as elections, sensitisation campaigns, and census exercises has been widely commended both locally and internationally.
The NYSC DG also assured that corps members would not be deployed to unsafe areas, stressing that the scheme remains apolitical and non-religious to sustain its role in promoting national unity.
He commended the VON boss for his leadership and efforts in transforming the media landscape through digital innovation, while appreciating the media for its continued support.
Earlier, Ndace congratulated Nafiu on his appointment and praised his leadership style since assuming office.
“General Nafiu has demonstrated a modern leadership style. I commend the NYSC management, as no leader succeeds without the support of their team,” he said.
“At the Voice of Nigeria, our mandate is to project Nigeria’s image, perspectives, and values to the global community. We currently broadcast in eight Nigerian languages,” he added.
Ndace also reaffirmed VON’s commitment to partnering with NYSC on content development and youth-focused programming, pledging to amplify the activities of corps members and showcase the scheme’s initiatives to a global audience.
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