Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has endorsed the establishment of the Nigerian Forest Security Service as part of efforts to flush out bandits operating in forests across the country.
Speaking during his Ramadan Tafsir on Tuesday evening in Kaduna, Mr Gumi urged the proposed outfit to deploy decisive military force against criminal elements terrorising communities, while cautioning against the use of aerial bombardments in forest operations.
The cleric warned that airstrikes could lead to heavy civilian casualties, citing the tragic incident in Tudun Biri, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where the Nigerian Air Force reportedly killed more than 100 residents in an accidental airstrike.
According to him, while confronting bandits requires firm and coordinated action, deploying bombs in forest areas poses significant risks to innocent communities residing within or around the affected locations.
Mr Gumi observed that bandit groups in parts of the country have grown increasingly dangerous and brutal, attributing the trend to alleged external influences aimed at destabilising Nigeria.
He noted that the development appeared to validate his earlier concerns that bandits could evolve into full-fledged terrorist organisations if not decisively tackled.
The cleric therefore called on relevant authorities to adopt strategies capable of effectively dislodging criminal elements from forest enclaves while ensuring the protection of civilian lives
