Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has described the abduction of schoolchildren as a “lesser evil” compared to killing soldiers, arguing that negotiation with bandits is necessary to prevent further bloodshed. In an interview with the BBC, Gumi said kidnapping remains “evil,” but noted that in several cases, including mass abductions in Kebbi State, children were released unharmed.
“Saying that kidnapping children is a lesser evil than killing your soldiers… it’s just a lesser evil,” he said.
His comments come amid the abduction of more than 315 people in Niger State, including 303 students and 12 teachers, with 100 recently freed by federal authorities.
Gumi reaffirmed his stance that “everybody negotiates with outlaws,” adding that his past engagements with bandits were conducted openly with officials and journalists. He said he ended all contact after the groups were designated terrorists in 2021 and stressed that military action alone cannot resolve Nigeria’s insecurity.