The Kaduna-based cleric said crimes among herders can be stopped through education.
Controversial Islamic scholar, Ahmad Gumi has revealed how he thinks President Muhammadu Buhari's government can stop banditry and other security challenges perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen and other criminals.
The Kaduna-based cleric said crimes among herders can be stopped through education.
In a Facebook post, the Islamic scholar said the building of schools and encouraging children of herders to attend them would prevent banditry.
Gumi recalled how he encouraged some herdsmen in the Janjala forest of Kagarko to take up education and renounce banditry.
And according to him, the herders jumped at the offer.
He said a school was subsequently built for their children.
He said, “It’s Education! In the package it means building schools for them and their children to rehabilitate them and prevent their children from joining the banditry as a way of life; it is called mopping out the pool from which criminals get their foot soldiers.
“Seven months ago, in early February, I was in Janjala forest of Kagarko to visit Herdsmen to encourage them to resist and fight back against the bad eggs among them and also put the foundation stone of a school/center for them.”
The cleric said no fewer than 600 students were enrolled for classes.
He added, “Today, with the roofing in place, they have moved into the school even without plaster, electrical fittings, ceilings, tiles, and painting to continue their lessons.
“So far, about 600 students were enrolled out of which 150 are married women.
“This is how a society is transformed and redirected.
“They have now tested the sweetness of knowledge and have seen the value of education. They cannot be recruited any more to commit crimes as they are looking forward to a brighter future of respect and dignity.”
Gumi observed the construction of Education centres will discourage people from taking to crime.
“This is a practical example for people to emulate and governments to listen to,” he said.
Some Northern states have been under the attacks of bandits with several schools and religious centres been the target.
States like Zamfara, Niger, Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Katsina have been affected by the activities of banditry.
Amid their activities, Gumi had visited bandits in the forests, saying he would convince them to stop their criminal activities.
Following his visit, Gumi urged the Nigerian Government to grant bandits amnesty.
Recently, the Islamic cleric appealed to the President Buhari-led administration to establish a Ministry of Nomadic Affairs.
Gumi said the ministry would address the challenges affecting herders, saying bandits will not go anywhere till something is done about their case.