Son of Bandit Negotiator Sheik Gumi Graduates From Nigerian Defence Academy
By: Israel Adeleke
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports as gathered that Abdurrahman Ahmad Gumi, son of controversial Islamic cleric and bandit negotiator, Sheik Ahmad Gumi, has officially graduated from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), joining the ranks of newly commissioned officers in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
OTN News further reports as gathered that the graduation ceremony, held on Sunday at the NDA’s permanent site in Kaduna, drew national attention after images circulated online showing Sheik Gumi standing proudly beside his son in military attire.
The moment sparked widespread discussion on social media, with many highlighting the symbolism of a family steeped in both religious tradition and military service.
Sheik Gumi himself once served as a military officer, rising to the rank of Captain before resigning to pursue Islamic studies in Saudi Arabia.
In recent years, he has become a polarising figure for his efforts to negotiate peace with armed bandit groups in Nigeria’s northwest.
His interventions, which began formally in Zamfara State in February 2025, have aimed to reduce violence in states such as Katsina, Kaduna, and Niger, but have also drawn sharp criticism from the federal government.
Despite a nationwide ban on ransom payments in 2022, Gumi has continued engaging with armed groups, insisting that dialogue is key to ending the crisis.
The bandit conflict, driven by herder-farmer clashes, poverty, and the proliferation of illegal arms, has seen over 30,000 individuals join more than 100 gangs across the northwest, according to security analysts.
Estimates suggest as many as 60,000 weapons are in circulation in the region.
Against this backdrop, Abdurrahman’s entry into the Nigerian military has been viewed by some as a sign of hope and national unity.
Photos shared from the graduation included a nostalgic image of a younger Abdurrahman in his father’s arms, now contrasted with his commissioning into the military.
The Nigerian Defence Academy, established in 1964, remains the country’s premier institution for officer training. Its role in shaping national defence was underscored earlier this month when it honoured a late Brigadier General during a special meeting on September 12, 2025.
For many observers, Abdurrahman’s graduation marks more than a personal milestone, it represents a new chapter in the Gumi family’s long and complex relationship with Nigeria’s security challenges.
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