On November 25, a Federal High Court in Abuja ruled all bandit groups’ operations in the country to constitute acts of terrorism.

Gumi is known for requesting amnesty for bandits who are accused of killing thousands and kidnapping a large number of people, including students.

The cleric stated he would no longer intercede for bandits in an interview with the online newspaper Premium Times on Wednesday.

He said:  “Since the federal government has declared them terrorists, I don’t have anything to do with them anymore.

“I will not like to expose myself to danger again and to put a spotlight on myself unnecessarily. I have tried all I could do to admonish the nation on the best way to do it, but it seems my advice has fallen on deaf ears.

“I have endangered my life for peace by going to the forest and engaging the bandits. Among them are rock bandits,  dangerous, armed, ready to fire.

“It is dangerous, still we risked our lives to see that we bring peace to this nation. Because somebody has to take that risk and we took it and thanked God we came out safely and knowledgeable, knowing how to come about this issue.

“Maybe in the future when the political situation changes for the better, we can do it again so that there will be peace, harmony and tranquility in the country.”