Veteran Nigerian entertainer Charly Boy has fiercely criticized Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmed Gumi over his recent statements suggesting that attacking bandits in Northern Nigeria would be a “mistake.”

In a video shared online, Sheikh Gumi urged authorities to negotiate with bandits rather than confront them militarily, arguing that an attack could lead to more chaos. He also recommended including them in budgets and giving them some form of amnesty.

Reacting to the comments, Charly Boy, also known as Area Fada, expressed outrage on social media. He questioned the cleric’s judgment and accused him of siding with criminals while ignoring the suffering of victims.

“Sheikh Gumi, do you think before you talk? Families are burying their children, farmers can’t work, villages are empty, and you stand to defend the criminals? Which negotiation have you done for the victims?” Charly Boy wrote.

He continued, criticizing the cleric for appearing to represent the bandits rather than advocating for the safety of innocent citizens:

“You talk like their PRO, their spiritual adviser. Any leader, cleric, or elder who uses ‘dialogue’ to pamper killers is part of the problem. If it were your family or people they butchered, your mouth would suddenly call for military action.”

Charly Boy concluded by demanding that Sheikh Gumi use his influence responsibly:

“Stop defending evil. Stop creating confusion. Nigeria is not a playground for criminals. For once, say the truth: ‘Bandits must be crushed. Victims must be protected. Government must wake up.’”

The fiery response has sparked widespread debate online about the role of dialogue versus force in tackling Nigeria’s escalating banditry crisis, highlighting the tension between advocacy for negotiation and the urgent call for protection of innocent citizens.