Pastor Schugger Ezenwa Onyeukwu Disagrees With Sheikh Gumi on Banditry, Backs Military Action

Pastor Schugger Ezenwa Onyeukwu Disagrees With Sheikh Gumi on Banditry, Backs Military Action

By Collins Nkwocha

The Senior Pastor of Grace Revolution International Ministry, Lagos, Pastor Schugger Ezenwa Onyeukwu (PhD), has disagreed with the recent assertion by Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi that the Nigerian military cannot defeat bandits without the government negotiating with them.

Speaking with journalists in Lagos on Tuesday, Pastor Onyeukwu said that while he understands Sheikh Gumi’s call for dialogue, he strongly disagrees with the claim that the military is incapable of defeating bandits without negotiations.

According to him, the activities of bandits—ranging from kidnapping to the killing of innocent civilians—demonstrate that they are not driven by grievances that can simply be resolved through dialogue.

“While I understand Sheikh Ahmad Gumi’s perspective on the need for negotiation, I strongly disagree with his assertion that the Nigerian military cannot defeat bandits without dialogue. The bandits have consistently engaged in violent acts, including kidnapping and killing innocent citizens, which shows that they are not necessarily motivated by issues that can be addressed through negotiation,” he said.

Pastor Onyeukwu stressed that the Nigerian military has a constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property, adding that decisive action is sometimes required to neutralise security threats and restore peace.

He, however, called for a balanced and strategic approach to addressing insecurity in the country, combining military action with dialogue and efforts to tackle the root causes of conflict.

“I recommend a comprehensive approach that combines military action with dialogue and addressing the root causes of conflicts. This should not be seen as a sign of weakness or an admission that the military cannot handle the situation, but rather as a strategic move to manage the complexities of insecurity and achieve a lasting solution,” he added.

He concluded that Nigeria’s security challenges require a multifaceted response involving both military and non-military measures, noting that while dialogue remains important, it should not replace the military’s critical role in maintaining law and order.