Controversial Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has urged Nigerians to accept and coexist peacefully with Fulani herdsmen.

In a video shared on X, Gumi emphasized that the herdsmen are an integral part of Nigeria and are not going anywhere. He noted that just as they cannot be driven away, they too cannot drive anyone out, describing them as neighbors rather than enemies.

The cleric warned that turning herdsmen into adversaries could have dire consequences for the country. He explained that the real enemies could exploit such tensions, given that herdsmen are familiar with local communities and movements.

“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 said.

“Your real enemy will use your neighbor against you, and nobody knows your secrets better than your neighbor. He knows when you come and when you go, so we should never allow herdsmen to become our enemies.”