Herdsmen Are Going Nowhere. We Must Learn to Live Together — Sheikh Gumi Fumes

Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has stated that herdsmen will continue to remain in Nigeria, describing them as an inseparable part of the nation’s social structure.

Gumi said herdsmen are embedded in Nigerian society and should be accepted as such, regardless of public sentiment.

He stressed that coexistence with them is inevitable and must be approached with understanding rather than hostility.

“Herdsmen are going nowhere. They are part of us, and we are part of them. We must learn to live together and should never become enemies with them,” Gumi emphasized.

He maintained that Nigerians must prioritise peaceful coexistence with herdsmen, warning against narratives that portray them as adversaries.

According to him, attempts to isolate or exclude them are unrealistic and counterproductive, as coexistence is unavoidable.

However, his remarks have generated widespread debate amid persistent clashes, killings, and displacement associated with herder-related volence in different parts of the country. Many Nigerians argue that the challenge extends beyond calls for coexistence, focusing instead on accountability, effective law enforcement, and the protection of vulnerable communities.