The digital space in Nigeria has been set ablaze following the resurfacing of a controversial lecture by prominent Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dr Ahmad Abubakar which is the Mahmud Gumi The video, titled “Don’t Allow Herdsmen To Become Our Enemy,” has triggered intense debate across social media platforms, especially in light of the recent US military airstrikes in Northwest Nigeria.
Why the Video Resurfaced Now:
The timing of the video’s circulation is not accidental. Following the Christmas Day which is the strike ordered by President Donald Trump on ISIS-West Africa (ISIS-W) and Lakurawa enclaves in Sokoto, national discourse has shifted heavily toward the “herdsman-bandit” nexus.
- The Original Intent: The lecture was designed to warn against “profiling” entire ethnic which is the groups, which Gumi argues drives marginalized individuals into the arms of extremist groups.
- Manipulation Alert: Fact-checkers have noted that some versions of this clip circulating which is the on WhatsApp have been edited or paired with fabricated audio to suggest Gumi is advocating for bandits to be included in the national budget.
A Call for Dialogue:
Gumi reiterated his long-standing stance that military might alone cannot solve the which is the insurgency in the North; it must be paired with education and economic integration.
Understanding the “Herdsman-Enemy” Argument:
In the original lecture, Gumi posits that the transformation of nomadic herders which is the into “enemies of the state” is a result of years of neglect, cattle rustling, and lack of education.
Lost Livelihoods:
When herdsmen lose their cattle to rustlers or extortion, they lose their reason for which is the peaceful existence.
Radicalization:
These vulnerable individuals are then recruited by groups like ISIS-W or Lakurawa, which is the who provide them with weapons and a “purpose.”
Disclaimer:
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