An Islamic scholar, Ahmad Abubakar Mahmud Gumi, has endorsed the establishment of the Nigerian Forest Security Service (NFSS), to flush out bandits from forests across the country.
The cleric also urged the proposed outfit to deploy decisive military force in tackling criminal elements.
Speaking during his Ramadan Tafsir on Tuesday in Kaduna, Gumi, however, warned against the use of aerial bombardments, saying such operations could result in civilian casualties.
He cited the tragic incident at Tudun Biri in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where more than 100 residents were reportedly killed in a mistaken airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force.
According to the cleric, while confronting banditry requires firm and coordinated action, the deployment of bombs in forest operations poses significant risks to innocent communities residing within or around affected areas.
Gumi said that bandits operating in parts of the country had become increasingly dangerous and brutal, attributing the development to alleged external influences aimed at destabilising the nation.
He said the trend appeared to validate his earlier concerns that bandits’ groups could evolve into full-fledged terrorist organisations, if not decisively addressed.
The cleric also called on the authorities to adopt strategies that would effectively dislodge criminal elements from forest hideouts while ensuring the protection of civilian lives.
