Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to begin peace talks with bandits in Nigeria.

The appeal comes as Gumi drew parallels with the recent ceasefire and hostage exchange deal between Israel and Hamas.

In a Facebook post on Monday, Gumi urged the Nigerian government to learn from the United States–brokered truce, which involved a group the West once labelled “terrorists.”

He wrote, “Peace between Israel and Hamas, whom they term terrorists, was brokered by the USA. Who says there can be no peace with terrorists? Make peace with bandits and let us have peace.”

Gumi has consistently advocated dialogue with armed groups operating in northern Nigeria, arguing that negotiation would be a more effective means of restoring security than ongoing military action.