Ahmad Gumi, the Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, has advised the federal government to consider granting amnesty to armed bandits.

Speaking during a press conference at his residence in Kaduna on Monday, Gumi said the country should adopt the same rehabilitation approach used for repentant Boko Haram members who surrendered to the military.

He noted that Nigeria’s prolonged reliance on military force has failed to end banditry and insurgency.

“If the kinetic approach is not working for 17 years, why don’t you change the approach? Let’s change the method,” Gumi said.

Gumi said authorities have not paid enough attention to reintegration and rehabilitation strategies despite the number of insurgents who have surrendered over the years.

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