Reported by: Ime Richard Aondofa | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has drawn sharp criticism after describing the abduction of schoolchildren by bandits as a “lesser evil” compared with the killing of soldiers, arguing that talks with armed groups remain a necessary path to peace in Nigeria. In an interview published by the BBC on Tuesday, he acknowledged the kidnapping of minors as “evil and unacceptable,” but insisted that it is less grievous than the murder of security personnel — especially in cases where children are freed unharmed.
Gumi pointed to past incidents, including a mass abduction in Kebbi State, to support his argument — saying the victims were eventually released alive, and thus, the act of kidnapping, in his view, ranks lower on the scale of wrongdoing.
His remarks come just days after more than 315 people — 303 students and 12 teachers — were abducted from a school in Niger State, triggering nationwide concern. On 7 December, the federal government announced the release of 100 students, while earlier reports confirmed that around 50 others had escaped shortly after the incident.
When questioned about what he would say to the parents of the abducted children, Gumi responded, “It’s an evil, and we pray that they escape.”
In defending his long-standing advocacy for engagement with bandits — including armed herders and rural militias — Gumi insisted that negotiation, not force alone, offers the most realistic way to end bloodshed in Nigeria. He argued that violence cannot be defeated by military force alone.
The cleric emphasised that past dialogues were conducted openly and with the participation of security authorities and the press — not in secret or in defiance of the law. He recalled leading a 2021 outreach to armed bandit groups, where over 600 fighters reportedly agreed to lay down arms in exchange for assurances of security and basic services — a deal, he says, the government failed to honour.
According to Gumi, many of those labelled “bandits” today are mostly rural herders — not urban Fulani — whose livelihoods revolve around cattle rearing. He argued that their criminal acts stem from existential struggles over land, grazing, and survival, rather than ideological extremism.
He also warned that relying solely on military operations will not bring lasting peace, stressing that the role of government, politics, and local communities remains essential in resolving Nigeria’s security crisis.
However, Gumi’s comments have unleashed a wave of condemnation across social media, civil society organisations, and many Nigerians who believe that any form of justification for kidnapping — particularly of children — is morally unacceptable, regardless of the intended outcome.
Critics argue that Gumi’s stance amounts to excusing criminal behaviour and undermines efforts to hold perpetrators accountable. Some have accused him of enabling or sympathising with militants by normalising negotiations with groups engaged in terrorism and banditry.
Proponents of a security-centred response contend that dialogue with criminals risks emboldening them, reducing the deterrent effect of law enforcement, and sending a dangerous message: that abduction, ransom, and ransom-related violence are acceptable tradeoffs in a larger political negotiation.
At the same time, the resurgence of mass kidnappings — including the recent Niger State abduction — highlights the limitations of existing security approaches. The frustration over recurring raids, school closures and forced displacements has compelled some Nigerians to reconsider alternatives.
Yet Gumi’s framing — that kidnapping is a “lesser evil” compared to killing — remains deeply controversial. For many, the moral weight of abducting innocent children cannot be mitigated or ranked; it carries psychological scars, community disruption, and a deep erosion of trust in security institutions.
As national dialogue over how to confront banditry intensifies, decisions ahead will be consequential. Whether authorities choose a path predominantly led by military pressure, negotiation, or a hybrid model will likely shape Nigeria’s security trajectory — and the lives of thousands of vulnerable civilians caught between armed groups and state forces.
Given the scale of recent kidnappings and loss of confidence in protection mechanisms, observers warn that public sentiment may increasingly demand swift justice, protection reforms, and more transparent accountability — rather than concessions or clandestine negotiations.
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